July 4 worst day of year for fatal car crashes

As is the case throughout the rest of the country, most people in California use the Fourth of July as a time to relax and celebrate their personal freedoms. The annual holiday is also when many individuals take to the roads to do things like visit friends and family or attend fireworks celebrations and other events. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety and Esurance estimate that it's the worst day of the year for fatal car accidents.

As for the leading auto accident cause, the Institute notes that 40 percent of all highway deaths that occurred from 2007 to 2011 involved driving while intoxicated over the Independence Day weekend. This doesn't include other factors that may contribute to accidents, such as distracted driving and not obeying speed limits.

Accidents involving fireworks are another possible source of personal injuries associated with the Fourth of July. In particular, hands and fingers are most likely to be injured by the mishandling of fireworks, according to the U.S. Consumer Safety Product Commission, along with the ears and the face. Burns are the most common injury sustained with fireworks. Such injuries are on the rise in California and nationally. Swimming mishaps and food poisoning are additional sources of injuries related to Independence Day.

The American Automobile Association estimates that 40 million people will drive more than 50 miles from their home around the Fourth of July. If someone's negligence results in a car accident or another mishap during this holiday, a personal injury attorney may be able to help the injured party seek fair compensation for medical expenses and related damages. With car crashes, a lawyer may be able to secure footage from traffic cameras and cellphones to get a better idea of who was at fault.

Source: The Sacramento Bee, 'This is how people hurt themselves with fireworks," Hattie Xu, July 3, 2017.