Ways to Avoid Car Accident Injuries This Holiday Season

As we recover from the pandemic and ease up restrictions, this also means that families will be more likely to meet in-person instead of virtually. Instead of flying, many people every year opt to drive across the country to get to their destination for the holidays. Flights around the holidays can be very expensive, especially when the whole family is tagging along for the trip. If you are getting your suitcases packed to drive to your relative’s house, it is very important that the person driving stays alert and cautious. There are more people traveling on the roads during the holiday season, which means that more accidents happen, and your chance of getting into an accident increases. You should drive safely and take measures of precaution to make sure that you safely make it to your holiday destination. 

One step that you should take to prevent getting into a car accident injuries during the holiday season is taking your car into the shop to get a check-up and maintenance work done. If you will be driving hundreds of miles on a holiday trip, then it is important that you get your car checked before you head out. Take the time to meet with a mechanic and have them look over your vehicle for you. In some situations, your car dealership might let you bring in your vehicle so that their mechanic can check it out. A proper check-up will make sure that your vehicle’s brake fluid and brakes are looking good. They will also make sure that your cooling and heating systems are working like they should, and that your fluid and tire pressure levels are correct. It’s a good idea for the mechanic to check your spare tire, too. You don’t want to be stuck on a rural road with a flat tire and no cell service to call for help. The mechanic should also make sure that all your lights are properly functioning, and fix any that are burned out or broken. 

Another good idea for staying safe from car accidents injuries when you’re traveling for the holidays is to stick to a schedule. If your road trip is going to be a long one, it’s smart to have a good game plan. You should research your route ahead of time, and determine how many times you will take a break, and where you will do it. If you don’t want to stop for meals, then you should pack food for the journey. Bringing lots of snacks and a big pack of water bottles can help you avoid stopping unnecessarily. Thinking about your time frame is also essential. How long is the trip going to take, and how many drivers will be taking turns? To keep everyone well-rested, it’s a good idea to switch out who is driving if possible. Many accidents happen because of people driving while tired. 

Another way to prevent getting into a car accident is to drive while it’s light outside, instead of at night. One of the most simple ways to not get into an accident is to not drive on the road too much after sundown. If you cannot avoid driving after dark, make sure to exert caution. Nighttime driving causes many car accidents. As soon as the daylight begins to fade, you should turn on your headlights. On the flip side, if you are driving in the morning then you should have your headlights on before the sun rises. When vision is limited, you should keep an extra watch-out for wildlife and pedestrians. Another good rule of thumb is to keep some space between your car and the surrounding vehicles. This will give you more reaction time to avert a crisis.

Even if you plan out every minute detail of your road trip, something can always go wrong. You should pack for emergencies, even if you don’t think that anything could go wrong. It is important to have a first aid emergency kit in your vehicle, just in case something happens. You should also pack warm clothes, water, and extra snacks. Even if you will have your phone on you, it’s a good idea to write down the phone numbers of your insurance company and emergency contacts. 

What should you do if you suffer from car accident injuries?

No matter how well you prepare and plan, that doesn’t mean that nothing will go wrong. If you end up getting into a car accident, you should make sure to check your own safety and then assist others involved in the crash. Seek out medical attention right away if you need to. 

Many auto accident injuries victims find that they don’t realize that they were injured until days or weeks after the accident. This is especially true when people are preoccupied with the business of the holidays. It is easy to brush aside signs of injuries and pain. If you were in a car accident, you should reach out to Byers Chiropractic and Massage: Car Accident Urgent Care. Our chiropractors specialize in treating car crash injuries, such as back pain and whiplash. Chiropractors are able to naturally relieve pain through spinal manipulation. Byers Chiropractic and Massage: Car Accident Urgent Care knows that no two accident victim’s cases will be exactly the same, and so our recovery plan will be tailored to you. 

Car accident injuries can be terrifying to get into, and it’s enough to ruin your holidays. If you will be driving somewhere this season, being careful can make the difference between having a fun, festive time and being burdened with chronic pain. Our team wants you to have a safe and happy holiday season, so make sure to drive carefully over the holidays! If you were in an accident, make sure to focus on your health. Reach out to our chiropractors about how we can help you from car accident injuries. We offer spinal adjustments, massage therapy, and more. For more information about how our professionals can help you, call Byers Chiropractic and Massage: Car Accident Urgent Care today.