A Philadelphia Car Accident Attorney Explains How Summer Travel Season Contributes To Car Accidents

The summer months present a great opportunity for travel in and around Pennsylvania. Our state and the entire eastern seaboard boast tremendous highway scenery, outdoor fun, and historic landmarks to enjoy. However, summer also means more vehicles on the road. As you and your family share highways, interstates, and country roads with a greater number of fellow travelers, the likelihood of being involved in a car accident increases. Enjoying the warm weather and sightseeing opportunities in Pennsylvania does not have to mean being unprepared for the realities of traveling by motor vehicle. A Philadelphia car accident attorney serves clients who are injured in summertime travel accidents. Spend some time with us today as we discuss the tendency for car accidents to increase in number during the summer months.  If you have been injured in a car accident, contact our office today. We offer free consultations where you can ask questions and receive feedback tailored to your specific circumstances. 

What Are The Most Common Causes Of Summer Travel Season Car Accidents?

As more families take the roads of Pennsylvania during the summer, the increased congestion means more vehicles in closer proximity to one another. Unfortunately, this is a perfect recipe for an increase in car accidents. Even the slightest mistake by a fellow driver can lead to a car accident where you or a loved one suffers an injury. 

Next, speeding on area highways and interstates leads to many car accidents in Pennsylvania each summer. More vehicles on the streets can lead to congestion and delays. To make up for lost time, some drivers take to putting the pedal to the metal. Speeding puts drivers in a position where decision-making becomes compressed. Having less time to decide on the wheel puts you and other drivers in a position where an accident is more likely to occur. 

Travelling means being away from home and the familiar driving routes of your daily commute. Setting out on a summer road trip is exciting, but it also necessarily means venturing into locations you are less familiar with. Checking maps, looking for hotel check-in instructions, and disciplining the kids in the back seat are all common distractions drivers face. These distractions are more than enough to create unsafe driving conditions and ultimately a car accident. In that case, a Philadelphia car accident attorney is your best advocate for your legal rights. 

Finally, the summer weather is a significant contributing factor to the increased number of car accidents in Pennsylvania. Slippery road conditions result after rain events. Visibility can be reduced to nearly zero during a storm. Wet and stormy weather emphasizes reaction time and attention to road conditions. When the driver behind you can’t stop in time at a red light, it can mean a car accident and severe injuries. 

First Steps After A Car Accident Occurs

Nobody wants to be involved in a car accident. However, if a fellow motorist strikes your vehicle, there are steps you need to take immediately. First, determine if you or any passenger has been injured. If anyone has suffered an injury, contact 9-1-1 and seek medical care. If you are injured and cannot make that phone call, instruct a passenger or anyone nearby to do so.

In the alternative, if you can steer your vehicle out of harm’s way, then do so. The shoulder of a highway, the right lane of an interstate, or the right lane of a street is the preferred location to park a vehicle after a car accident. Emergency vehicles will have an easier time getting to you or any other injured person when you are parked in a safe location. 

In addition to calling for emergency medical services, you should report the accident to local law enforcement. This is a crucial step for establishing fault for the car accident. Law enforcement takes statements from each driver and any witnesses, and then document the scene of the accident. Future insurance claims or lawsuits depend upon accurate representations of what led to the injuries and property damage sustained. 

Determining Whether, And What Type, Of Medical Attention To Seek

One of the most challenging decisions to make immediately after a car accident is determining whether to seek medical attention. For significant, life-threatening injuries, the decision will likely be made for you. Those circumstances involve another person contacting emergency medical services on your behalf. 

For other injuries, the reality of the situation is that you may not feel much pain immediately after the accident. The shock of what has happened, combined with adrenaline, may mask the severity of your injuries or the extent of the pain you have suffered. 

For these reasons, seeking medical care even for seemingly minor injuries is advisable. Sometimes addressing your injuries early can lead to better outcomes later on. Waiting on medical care can exacerbate the injury and create a lengthier period of rehabilitation and recovery. Consider your long-term health and well-being when you find medical care soon after your car accident. 

Contact A Philadelphia Car Accident Attorney For Experienced Car Accident Representation

Don’t file an insurance claim or injury lawsuit without first meeting with a Philadelphia car accident attorney. The twists and turns of a car accident case are made worse when you consider the possibility of suffering from severe injuries. Focus on your medical care and recovery while Anthony C. Gagliano, III,  Esquire, P.C., provides guidance and advocacy regarding your legal claim. A free consultation is available by contacting our office. When it comes to the rights of our clients, nobody outworks our team of experienced legal professionals.