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While people in Illinois may associate the Fourth of July with fun, family and celebrations, the holiday can also be strongly associated with danger, particularly in the form of motor vehicle accidents. On Independence Day, record numbers of drivers take to the roads, crowding streets and highways and making accidents more likely to occur. In addition to the large number of cars on the road, those crashes can become more severe as a result of abundant alcohol. The holiday is considered to be America's deadliest weekend every year.
The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety notes that Independence Day is the day each year with the highest number of fatalities caused by car crashes. Between 2007 and 2011, a full 40 percent of all highway fatalities were related to the Fourth of July weekend and involved drunk driving. Every year, the four-day weekend sees around 200 deaths due to traffic collisions.
Drunk driving is the most common cause of serious injuries as a result of car crashes on the Fourth of July weekend. However, it is not the only hazard to the public that accompanies Independence Day. Fireworks are a big part of the festivities, but they can easily injure people who are unfamiliar with their operation. Many people experience injured hands and figures related to the use of fireworks.
Whether it happens on the Fourth of July or any day of the year, a car accident can lead to life-changing injuries and even fatalities. People who have been injured in a crash caused by someone else's negligent, dangerous or intoxicated behavior may wish to work with a personal injury attorney. A lawyer may help people hurt through no fault of their own to pursue compensation for their lost wages, pain and suffering and medical bills.
