Holiday drivers will face all types of negligent behavior on Georgia roads this December, including drunk driving, distracted drivers and road rage, says personal injury attorney Bruce Millar of Millar & Mixon, LLC.
Atlanta, GA (PRWEB) December 12, 2011
“The Georgia State Patrol recently reported that 15 people died in accidents on the state’s roads during the Thanksgiving holiday period — marking an increase over last year,” said Millar, who practices with the Atlanta personal injury law firm of Millar & Mixon, LLC. He focuses his practice on representing victims of Georgia auto accidents.
“With more people traveling to shop, visit friends and family and go to parties, we could see a particularly lethal holiday driving season this year,” Millar said. “So, we urge drivers to take every precaution to be safe this season.”
Statistics from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reveal that around 400 people die in auto accidents nationwide during both the Christmas and New Year’s Day holiday periods. Figure in Thanksgiving fatalities, and there are roughly 1,500 highway fatalities during a typical year-end holiday season.
One of the leading causes of tragic car crashes during the holidays is alcohol. More than 40 percent of all fatal wrecks over New Year’s involve drunk driving during the typical year. Alcohol usually plays a role in just below 40 percent of Christmas auto accidents, according to figures from NHTSA.
“Drinking is a major part of many festivities for lots of folks this time of year. However, driving while intoxicated should never be a part of your holiday merrymaking,” Millar said. “There are always other options besides drinking and driving — designate a driver, call a cab, take public transit, call a sober friend or just stay put until you sober up.”
Alcohol is not the only danger on Georgia’s roads during the holiday season. Recklessness, carelessness, inattention and aggression also pose major hazards to anyone traveling by motor vehicle over the holidays, Millar pointed out.
“Sadly, the stresses of the holidays often bring out the worst in people, and that is also true on the road,” he said. “Many Atlanta drivers are focused on their hectic holiday schedules and forget to concentrate on the road. Increased traffic and delays can also make some motorists lose their cool behind the wheel.”
Bad weather conditions such as fog, rain and even snow and ice can plague North Georgia roads during December, leading to weather-related accidents when drivers negligently fail to slow down and drive according to the conditions, the Atlanta accident attorney said.
“With so many dangers on the road this holiday season, it’s important for everyone to slow down and concentrate on getting to their destinations safely. Your friends and family would much rather you arrive late than not at all,” Millar said.
If the unthinkable happens, and one is involved in a Georgia car wreck this holiday season, Millar said it’s important to discuss the details of the accident with a qualified Georgia personal injury attorney. Victims may be entitled to significant compensation if another driver’s negligence, recklessness or intoxication was to blame for your auto accident injuries.
Millar also emphasized that there is no cap on punitive damages in Georgia drunk driving cases, meaning that juries are free to decide how much a defendant should pay in an accident that involved DUI.
“If your best efforts to stay safe and sober on the roads this holiday are thwarted by another driver’s carelessness, a knowledgeable Atlanta auto accident attorney can help you hold the reckless driver responsible by securing full compensation for your injuries,” Millar said.
About Millar & Mixon, LLC
The Atlanta personal injury law firm of Millar & Mixon, LLC, based in Atlanta, GA, focuses on representing persons injured in car, truck, motorcycle, bus and other motor vehicle accidents. The firm also handles DUI cases, slip and fall injuries and animal attacks and bites, among other personal injury claims. Since 1993, Atlanta attorney Bruce Millar has obtained judgments and settlements exceeding $60 million for his clients.
The firm represents Georgia accident and injury clients throughout the Atlanta metropolitan area and the state of Georgia, including Jonesboro, East Point, North Atlanta, Sandy Springs, Forest Park, College Park, Decatur, Roswell, Marietta, Peachtree City, Fayetteville and Riverdale. For more information, call (678) 999-2444 or contact the firm through its online form.
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Bruce Millar
Millar & Mixon, LLC
(678) 999-2444
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