Safety First on the Road this Fourth of July

 Lower gas prices this year generally means more drivers will be on the roads during the long Fourth of July weekend. The Automobile Association of America (AAA) predicts nearly 42 million people will travel 50 miles of more from home this Independence Day. Officials are expecting to see more people on the road than they have in the last 14 years. In addition to drivers on the roads, AAA says 3.2 million will travel by bus or train. This also means multiplying hazards on the roadway in terms of negligent, impaired, distracted or fatigued drivers and an increased risk of getting into a car accident.

Tips for Safe Travel
Here are a few driving tips for a safe Fourth of July:
• Before you begin your trip, make sure that your vehicle is in good working order. Check the tire tread and pressure as well as oil and fluid levels, windshield wipers, lights, etc.
• Always buckle up. Seatbelts save lives. According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), seatbelts reduce fatalities and serious crash-related injuries by about 50 percent.
• If you are on the road, look out for drivers who are operating erratically or those you suspect of driving under the influence. Impaired drivers are among the greatest dangers on our roadways during holiday weekends including Independence Day.
• Speed limits must always be observed. Excessive speed or driving too fast given the roadway, weather and traffic conditions can result in devastating accidents.
• Fatigued driving is also another danger during the holidays. Make sure you get sufficient rest before you get on the road. Drive with a buddy who can help keep you alert.
• Put cell phones and all other distractions away. Program your GPS prior to leaving or while stopped.
• Be cautious while driving on rural roads. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), more accidents occur on rural roadways than other venues.
• Secure your pet. Make sure your dog or cat is kept in a crate that is secured by straps or cords. A loose pet or crate can crash through the windshield or be thrown inside, causing serious injuries to vehicle occupants.
• Look out for motorcyclists, pedestrians and bicyclists when you drive.
If you Have Been Injured
It is important for victims who have been injured in a car accident to protect their rights. Please ensure you take the following steps right away. File a police report, take photographs of the accident scene as well as your injuries, get contact information for other parties involved and eyewitnesses and get prompt medical attention. In such cases, you may be able to receive compensation for damages including medical expenses, lost wages and benefits, hospitalization, rehabilitation, permanent injury, disability, past and future pain and suffering, etc.
If you or a loved one has been injured in a car accident, the experienced New York personal injury attorneys at the Law Offices of Kenneth A. Wilhelm can help you better understand your legal rights and options. For over 43 years, our skilled accident attorneys have a proven track record of helping injured victims get fair compensation for their losses. Our law firm recently recovered $5,600,000 for a man who was hit by a van, and $2,550,000 for another victim of a truck accident, and $3,000,000 for a pedestrian who was hit by a car.
Please contact us TOLL FREE 24 hours a day, 7 days a week at 1-800-WORK-4-YOU (1-800-967-5496). WE CAN EVEN COME TO YOU. There is no attorneys’ fee unless we recover money for you. We can also help with personal injury cases in New Jersey, Connecticut, Pennsylvania, or Florida. If you have been seriously injured in any of the 50 U.S. states, please call us and we will try to help you with your case.
Other TOLL FREE phone numbers for us are:
1-800-RADIO-LAW, 1-888-WYPADEK, OR 1-800-LAS-LEYES
Please visit us at: www.WORK4YOULAW.com