Greene & Phillips: Holiday Travel Safety

MOBILE, Ala. (WALA) - The holidays are one of the busiest times of the year for travel. Whether you’re driving to see family for Thanksgiving or coming home from a Christmas party, the roads are more crowded, and unfortunately, that also means more accidents. Joining us today is David Greene from Greene & Phillips Injury Lawyers to talk about staying safe and what to do if you’re involved in a crash during holiday travel.

Why do we see an increase in accidents around the holidays? Holiday travel means more cars on the road, more people rushing, and a lot of drivers traveling long distances while tired or distracted. You also see more impaired driving this time of year with people leaving Christmas parties and family gatherings. Combine that with night driving and bad weather, and it creates a dangerous situation.

What are some ways people can stay safer when traveling for the holidays? A few simple things make a big difference. Plan ahead—don’t drive when you’re overly tired. Make sure your vehicle is in good condition: check your tires, brakes, windshield wipers, and fluids. Leave early so you’re not tempted to speed. And of course, absolutely never drink and drive; use a designated driver or ride service.

What about distracted driving during holiday trips? Does that play a role? Yes, a huge one. People are looking at GPS, answering holiday texts, changing music, handing kids snacks in the back seat… there are a lot of distractions. But even a two-second glance away from the road can be enough to cause a serious collision. Staying focused is one of the most important things you can do.

If someone is injured in a holiday accident, what should they do at the scene? First, call 911 and make sure everyone gets medical attention. If it’s safe, take pictures of the vehicles, the road conditions, skid marks, even traffic signs. Get witness names and contact information. Don’t argue about fault at the scene, and don’t apologize, because insurance companies can twist that later.

Do people ever worry about “ruining someone’s holiday” by filing a claim? Yes, we hear that a lot. But remember, when you file a claim, you’re usually filing against the insurance company, not the individual. You’re not targeting the other driver, you’re using the insurance system that’s in place to protect people when accidents happen, especially during an already stressful time of year.

If someone needs help after a crash, how can they reach Greene & Phillips? We make it easy. You can stop by our office at 51 North Florida Street any time, no appointment needed. You can also call or text us at 251-300-2000 or visit greenephillips.com. And remember, if you can’t come to us, we’ll come to you.