Atlanta car accident lawyer, Jonathan Perazzo, understands that Thanksgiving celebrations result in million of Georgians taking to the roads to visit family, attend gatherings, and participate in one of the busiest travel weekends of the year. While the holiday season brings celebration, it also brings a significant increase in traffic accidents. Data from recent extended holiday periods such as Labor Day, clearly shows how dangerous Georgia roads can become when more vehicles, impaired drivers, and distracted motorists share the highways.
During this year’s Labor Day weekend alone, the Georgia Department of Public Safety reported more than 220 crashes, along with 580 distracted driving violations, 371 DUI investigations, and 868 seatbelt citations. In total, 124 people were injured and 11 lives were lost in traffic-related incidents. Thirteen of the reported crashes involved commercial motor vehicles, and 31 involved a driver under the influence. These numbers reflect a troubling trend: accident probabilities rise sharply whenever a holiday weekend begins.
The Georgia Department of Natural Resources also noted increased risks on the water, reporting 19 boating under the influence incidents, further evidence that holiday travel often leads to poor decision-making behind the wheel or behind a vessel.
Why Accidents Increase During Thanksgiving & Other Major Holidays
According to The Perazzo Law Firm, which represents injured victims across Georgia, several factors contribute to heightened crash rates during extended weekends:
- Heavier traffic volume as families travel long distances
- Driver fatigue during late-night or early-morning road trips
- Higher rates of impaired driving, particularly after gatherings involving alcohol
- Distracted driving, including GPS use, cellphone use accidents, and holiday stress
- Speeding and reckless driving from rushed or impatient motorists
Thanksgiving, like Labor Day, is consistently one of the top weekends for DUI arrests, fatal crashes, and multi-vehicle accidents. These collisions often involve inexperienced holiday drivers, congested interstates, and long-distance travelers unfamiliar with Georgia’s high-speed corridors.
What to Do if You Are Injured in a Holiday Weekend Accident
If you or a loved one is involved in a crash during the upcoming Thanksgiving weekend, take the following steps:
- Call 911 immediately
- Get medical attention, even for minor symptoms
- Document the scene with photos and witness information
- Avoid discussing fault with other drivers or insurers
- Contact a Georgia car accident lawyer right away
The Perazzo Law Firm helps victims recover compensation for medical bills, lost wages, property damage, and pain and suffering following holiday-related accidents. Our team also handles DUI crashes, commercial vehicle collisions, and multi-car pileups, cases that are common during Thanksgiving travel.
The Perazzo Law Firm – Atlanta’s Trusted Car Accident Attorneys
If you are injured over Thanksgiving weekend, you should not navigate the aftermath alone. Our team is available 24/7 to answer questions and protect your legal rights.
Call 888-PERAZZO for a FREE consultation.
Atlanta Car Accident Lawyer Serving accident victims across Georgia.