Autumn is officially here, which means leaves are starting to fall, days are getting shorter, and certain personal injuries are becoming more frequent than at other times of the year. Here are some personal injury accidents we often see as your local attorney during this season, so you know what to keep an eye out for.
1. School-Related Car Accidents
There are a few reasons why you may see more car accidents during the fall. One of the most common reasons is that kids are back at school. Reckless drivers speeding through school zones may put you or your child at risk. Young motorists who don’t have much experience behind the wheel are also driving to and from school or college as well, which means it’s vital to keep a sharp eye on other drivers should you need to do some defensive driving.
2. DWI-Related Injuries
Another reason why you may see car accidents climbing during the fall is because of DWIs. Fall Fest weekends, music festivals, and haunted houses and hayrides typically serve alcohol, and eventgoers who drink without a designated driver or who believe they should be ‘fine’ to drive may get on the road and put other motorists at risk as well as themselves and their passengers.
If you’re the victim of a personal injury on the road, or if you yourself have been charged with a DWI, it’s important to contact a local attorney as soon as possible. According to NOLO, a third DWI in Texas is a third-degree felony and has the potential to lead to two to 10 years in state prison.
3. Sun-Related Car Accidents
Because days are starting to get shorter, the sun is going down earlier, too, often blinding many unprepared motorists on their way home from work. To prevent accidents from happening, make sure you’re driving at least one vehicle length away from the car in front of you, so you have plenty of time to stop in case of an emergency.
4. Halloween-Related Injuries
Halloween can be a lot of fun, but it’s important to make sure that you and other homeowners are taking the necessary precautions to make sure their homes are free of hazardous conditions. For example, if you create a makeshift haunted house on your property for kids and their parents to walk through, you may be liable for personal injury if you leave tripping hazards, sharp objects, and other dangerous conditions in the set-up.
If you find yourself injured because of another person’s negligence this autumn, don’t hesitate to reach out to your local attorney at the Law Firm of Patrick Short. Contact us today to schedule a consultation.