Alcohol Related Accidents & Injuries over the Holidays
The holidays are a time for get-togethers with family and friends, and specialty drinks are often a part of the festivities. While toddies, spiked egg nog, or holiday punch may be part of your family tradition, it is important to protect yourself, and any guests if you are hosting the party, against potential accidents and injuries caused by alcohol overconsumption. Car accidents, pedestrian injuries, and slip and fall accidents are all more common when under the influence, and it is important to take some preventative measures to protect yourself, as well as to avoid potential liability.
Alcohol-Related Accidents and Injuries
According to the Insurance Information Institute (III), the period between Thanksgiving and New Year’s Day is one of the most dangerous times for alcohol-related accidents and injuries. Over the holiday season, more than 1,000 people are killed each year in the United States as the result of drunk driving accidents, while thousands more suffer serious and potentially disabling injuries. Unfortunately, car accidents are not the only danger you face when under the influence of alcohol. Being intoxicated or even mildly under the influence of alcohol can make the following other types of accidents more common as well:
- Pedestrian accidents, when walking home from parties, bars, or restaurants
- Slip and fall accidents, when navigating stairs, unfamiliar paths, or uneven sidewalks, or due to falling from heights
- Injuries caused by fires, due to getting too close to bonfires or fireplaces, or from leaving candles unattended
- Injuries due to assaults and fights that break out when people have had too much to drink
For a free legal consultation, call 803-222-2222
Protecting Yourself and Your Guests At Holiday Get-Togethers
The key to preventing alcohol-related accidents and injuries is to drink responsibly and to monitor consumption when you are out or entertaining guests. For house parties and gatherings, hosts can be held responsible for any accidental injuries that result from over serving guests. You may be liable to claims against your homeowners insurance policy for slip and fall injuries or other types of accidents that occur on your property — or through personal injury lawsuits if a guest gets in a drunk driving or alcohol-related pedestrian accident on the way home. To prevent these types of alcohol-related accidents, Healthline recommends the following tips:
- Provide festive non-alcoholic drinks to supplement wine, beer, and hard liquor
- Make sure there are plenty of food options for guests to help absorb some of the alcohol they drink
- Set a time limit for drinking, and stop serving alcohol an hour before the party ends
- Have designated space for guests to sleep or arrange for cab fare if they overindulge
Our South Carolina Personal Injury Attorney Can Help
If you or someone you care about is injured over the holidays, contact Anastopoulo Law Firm today. Our experienced personal injury attorneys can advise you on how to hold responsible parties accountable, so that you can get the compensation you need to recover.
Call or text 803-222-2222 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form
