Plenty of people visit family in California around the holidays. Others try to escape family obligations by sneaking away to the Golden State for a Christmas vacation.
But no matter where you put up your Christmas tree, in a mountain cabin, a Ventura County beachhouse, or a Rodeo Drive condo, your actions can lead to accidents if you aren’t careful. And even if you stay at home, your carelessness might accidentally put your guests in danger.
These are just a few of the types of incidents that can land you on the naughty list and, even worse, this holiday season:
- Christmas Traffic Accidents – The holiday rush usually spills out on local roads, but it can be hard to tell in California. That’s because traffic is already so congested. It’s best to stay focused on the road. Texting and driving and speeding could definitely put you on a naughty list. And if you cause a collision, you may get no presents at all. You could find your medical bills under the tree, and also be responsible for the other driver’s emergency room bills. If another driver forces you into a pileup, visit our page on what to do after a Southern California car accident.
- No DUI Accidents – This one is a no-brainer, and yet many holiday revelers still choose to drink and drive. Never get behind the wheel while under the influence of drugs or Christmas cocktails. You can get caught at a checkpoint. You might also cause a devastating accident, you’ll never forgive yourself for. Santa doesn’t drink and drive, and neither should you. If you are struck and hurt by a California DUI driver, talk with Quirk Accident & Injury Attorneys, APC, in a free consultation to find out how to receive everything you need to rebuild your life.
- Out of State Accidents – Don’t be a Krampus (the evil version of Santa) and welcome someone to California for the holidays by ramming them from behind. Put down your cell phone. California doesn’t allow drivers to hold cell phones anyway. Don’t get heavy-footed and hit unsafe speeds. Leave the speeding to Santa. If you are in a collision caused by a reckless driver, you may need a California car accident lawyer’s help. In some cases, your attorney can handle the claims process for you while you are able to return home and recover in another state.
- Heavy Delivery Vans Smash-Ups – You can keep the cheer going even if you are working for most of the holiday season. Delivery drivers for companies like Amazon and FedEx need to be reminded to operate safely while zipping in and out of California neighborhoods and stopping door-to-door. Those vans and trucks get loaded down during the shopping season and can pack a lot of force into an impact. If you or a family member is struck and hurt by a delivery van, talk to a Thousand Oaks Truck Accident Lawyer about earning recovery help from a giant corporation.
- Christmas Yard Décor – Don’t be a Griswold-level Christmas decorator, but then a Scrooge about safety. California premises liability laws require homeowners and business owners to avoid putting out decorations and cords that become tripping hazards. Beware of using cords that have exposed wiring. An electrical shock might really hurt a visitor and leave you financially liable for the costs of recovery.
- Fall Hazards at Your Holiday Bash – With family and friends stomping in and out of your home, it’s a good idea to keep hallways and front walkways clear of tripping hazards. Remove debris on the floor. If an Aunt spills Egg Nog in the kitchen, get it mopped up before someone slips and falls and gets hurt. Tighten the railing on your stairs so that people have a safe place to hang on to when ascending and descending. Leave accident risks out, and you risk having to cover someone’s emergency room bills.
- Black Friday Store Hazards – Stores want to pack in all the paying customers they can during the holiday rush, but they also have to consider the safety of shoppers. Owners and operators must avoid creating hazards on their aisles and in their parking lots that could trip someone. Store managers must also keep an eye out for the slipping risks that sloppy customers and their children leave behind, like spilled sodas and broken jars. Talk to a California Slip-And-Fall Lawyer if you need help getting compensation after suffering an injury at any business.
- Family Gathering Dog Bites – Christmas can sometimes be a scary time for dogs. A Christmas party or family gathering may bring people into the home that the pup has never seen before. The pure energy of children at Christmas may make a dog feel threatened and tempted to bite. In California, the dog owner is always responsible for protecting guests from bites. It may be for the best to put dogs in their own room and to strengthen gate latches in the backyard to keep pets secure. A Southern California dog bite lawyer can help victims seek help to pay for care for a painful wound.
- Unsafe Products Under the Tree – Manufacturers definitely go down on the naughty list when they make products that aren’t safe to bring home. It might be an unsafe toy that winds up under the tree, or an appliance that wasn’t tested as it should be. The stores that sell these items can also be responsible for the harm caused. Talk to a California defective products lawyer if you or your child is hurt by a dangerous item in your home.
- Christmas Lodging Accidents – You may be at a resort for Christmas. You may be in an Airbnb cabin in the mountains or in a villa on the beach. The one common thread is that property owners and resort operators all owe you a great holiday stay and a safe one. Property management companies and hotel managers are responsible for acting to prevent slip-and-falls, drownings, and other dangers. When they don’t, they become worse than a Home Alone crook. They also become liable for any injuries suffered by guests. Talk to a California lawyer if you are injured at your holiday hotel or rental property. Quirk Accident & Injury Attorneys, APC, can help you hold those responsible liable even if you are visiting from another state.
Stay Safe, But Seek Justice If You’re Hurt During the Holidays
We here at Quirk Accident & Injury Attorneys, APC, hope you and your family enjoy a safe and fun holiday season. Show caution to everyone around you and those you invite in. Stay off of Santa’s naughty list. But if you are hurt in a holiday accident that could have been prevented, don’t face your recovery alone.
If you are injured due to an individual’s carelessness or a business’s negligence, don’t trust their insurance providers to act in your best interest.
Contact a California personal injury lawyer and take advantage of a free case consultation and a real lawyer. Find out what your injury should be worth and how to hold those at fault fully responsible.