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Memorial Day is the unofficial start to summer, but it is also the beginning of what AAA calls the “100 Deadliest Days” of the year. Is this truly one of the most dangerous times of the year? And if so, why?
During our decades in practice, the attorneys at Chatham Gilder Howell Pittman have identified a number of factors that make Memorial Day weekend one of the most dangerous weekends for people in Shelby County, Tennessee, and Desoto and Tate counties in Mississippi.
Three-Day Weekend Danger
Memorial Day weekend is often the first time people have had an extra day off work when the weather is nice since September. Everyone wants to get outside and get a jump start on the summer season, but cutting loose comes with the risk of injury.
- Data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reveals Memorial Day Weekend is the three-day period with the most fatal car accidents each year. Around 40% of all accidents that happen on Memorial Day weekend involve alcohol — that’s about a 43% increase from a normal three-day span.
- Each May the Coast Guard reports a significant uptick in the number of boating accidents and drownings.
- Though grill fires occur year-round, the National Fire Protection Association reports that 13% of all grilling fires occur in May. The group says that the leading causes of grill fires include failing to clean the grill, the heat source being located too close to combustible materials, leaving equipment unattended, and leaks or breaks in the grill or fuel source.
Nicer Weather Lulls People into a False Sense of Security
The weather may also play a role. People often assume winter weather leads to more accidents, but that is not the case. According to a survey by Michelin:
- Three-quarters of drivers (74%) falsely believe that summer has fewer accidents than other times of the year. Similarly, drivers are three times less likely to be vigilant, (e.g., alert and focused on immediate surroundings) while driving during summer months than during winter.
- Eight in 10 drivers (81%) said they were less likely to drive cautiously (e.g., taking extra care with stopping and turning and paying attention to speed) in the summertime.
- Nearly three-quarters (72%) said they were less likely to pay close attention to other drivers on the road in the summer compared to winter months.
- Drivers are nearly three times less likely to check the condition of their tires in the summer.
This is not good news. Especially as travelers set out on summer vacations that put them in unfamiliar territory where they may not be able to avoid risks that are known to the locals. Accidents may be particularly common this year as numerous travel trendspotters say pent up demand is causing more people than ever to hit the road instead of sticking around home.
School’s Out for Summer
One of the reasons AAA thinks Memorial Day kicks off the “100 Deadliest Days” is the fact that more teen drivers take to the road during their unstructured time. But teens aren’t the only ones suffering personal injuries during the summer months.
During Memorial Day weekend and the rest of the summer Johns Hopkins says kids are at risk from:
- Drowning and other water-related injuries
- Sunburns
- Head injuries
- Trampoline injuries
- Firework injuries; and
- Burns from the BBQ grill.
The Lawyers That Listen
The Chatham Gilder Howell Pittman team hopes you and your family in Shelby County, Tennessee and Desoto, Marshall, Tunica, or Tate counties in Mississippi have a safe Memorial Day Weekend.
Knowing the risk of injury increases this time of year should not deter you from celebrating this important holiday. It is a time to gather with family and friends to honor those who are no longer with us.
If tragedy strikes, our experienced team of personal injury attorneys is ready to hear your story and help you get the compensation you deserve. Don’t hesitate to contact us to schedule an initial consultation.
