Regardless of how hectic life may be, the holidays provide the perfect opportunity to slow down and reflect on what matters most. Whether you spend them with dozens of extended family members or keep the festivities small with only those closest to you, nothing will ruin your gathering faster than an injury. Fortunately, if you’re familiar with some of the most common accidents that occur around this time of year, you can take steps to avoid them. Here are just a few incidents that personal injury attorneys often see around the holidays. 

What Injuries Are Common Around the Holidays?

1. Falls

Decorating the highest part of the tree, hanging holiday lights, or simply walking on a slippery sidewalk are all potential falling risks. While falling off a tall surface could obviously cause serious injuries, falling from ground level can be just as dangerous. Common injuries from falls include soft tissue injuries, head trauma, cuts and lacerations, broken bones, and spinal cord injuries. 

2. Motor Vehicle Collisions

More cars on the road during the holiday season mean more opportunities for collisions. No one wants to get stuck in holiday traffic, but it’s essentially inevitable if you hit the road during peak travel times. To reduce the risk of getting into a wreck, you should eliminate distractions, avoid driving while drowsy, schedule routine maintenance for your vehicle, and designate a driver if you’re attending a holiday party where you’ll consume alcohol. 

3. Fires

Personal injury attorneys represent clients with burn injuries 12 months out of the year; however, house fires are especially common around the holidays. Between 2011 and 2015, U.S. fire departments responded to roughly 200 home fires that started with Christmas trees per year, according to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA). Candles started more than one-third of house fires, and cooking equipment was involved in 19% of house fires. Whether you’re cooking a large meal for the family, decorating the tree, or curling up by the fire at night, practice caution to keep the holidays festive and avoid any unwanted accidents.  

If you or someone in your family gets hurt this holiday season, turn to an experienced personal injury attorney at Sponcler & Tharpe LLC. Based in Dalton, GA, this firm offers comprehensive legal advice in a variety of areas, including personal injury, real estate law, criminal defense, workers’ compensation, and family law. Every lawyer on their team has more than 3 decades of experience, so you can be sure you’re in good hands when you turn to them for strategic counsel. To learn more about their practice, visit their website. To schedule an initial consultation with a personal injury attorney, call (706) 278-5211.