The Most Common Christmas Accidents

Holiday Accidents: Stay Safe This Christmas in the Hands of an Experienced Injury Lawyer

Christmas is an exceptionally festive time, filled with delightful moments spent with family and friends. It is a bustling period with parties, company dinners, dining out, shopping for last-minute gifts, and visits to the town’s Christmas tree and parades. However, the joy of the season does not shield us from accidents. In fact, there is an increase in personal injuries caused by negligence during this time of year. In such cases, the services of experienced Christmas injury lawyers become invaluable.

As one of the most joyful times of the year approaches for many Americans, Adamson Ahdoot wants Californians to be aware of how to handle unexpected incidents. If you want to ensure your safety this season, this blog explores the leading causes of Christmas accidents and offers guidance on what steps to take if you find yourself involved in one.

Keep in mind that California personal injury law has a two-year statute of limitations. If you have been involved in a negligent accident within the past year or have recently been injured, do not hesitate to contact our Christmas personal injury lawyers. Call us today at (800) 310-1606, or submit your request online.

Why a Person May Need Help From Personal Injury Lawyers Over the Christmas Period?

During the festive season, people’s social activity increases significantly. With more activity on the streets and in the shops, the chances of being involved in an accident become greater. And in keeping with one of the Christmas classics, this period could turn into a “Nightmare Before Christmas.”

One of the most common habits, apart from eating out, is shopping and visiting family. The busier schedules mean people are frequently on the move, which can lead to distractions and potential road accidents.

However, as we will see below, it is not just motor vehicle accidents that pose risks to individuals. Any Christmas event can have various consequences in terms of injuries which, if the victim does not know how to respond, can have a very negative impact. Whether you are shopping for a Christmas tree, purchasing the new Playstation 5 console, or thinking about buying a new toy for your children, there is always the possibility of getting injured.

Knowing a reputable law firm like Adamson Ahdoot can assist you in obtaining a fair settlement. As one of California’s most reputable personal injury law firms, our attorneys have extensive experience protecting the rights of the public.

Christmas Holiday Accidents Statistics

While Christmas brings joy to many, it is important to recognize that it can also pose significant risks. Recent studies have shown that one of the leading causes of accidents in California at this time of year is holiday rushing. Being in a constant hurry, both at work and at home, increases the likelihood of making mistakes that could lead to negligence.

The Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) reports that holiday decorating contributes to an increased number of emergency room visits in November and December. Since 2013, an average of about 18,400 people have been injured in accidents involving holiday decorations. The Sunday after Thanksgiving sees the highest number of injuries, with an average of 660 people injured.

However, further research by RoSPA suggests that the actual number of injuries related to Christmas activities is much higher – estimated at up to 80,000 cases. This includes everything from falls in shopping malls to incidents involving children’s toys and fires caused by faulty Christmas lights. In particular, Christmas trees and candles are responsible for an average of 450 and 1,000 house fires respectively. Together, these incidents caused up to $10 million in property damage nationwide.

Road Traffic Causes Thousands of Injuries and Hundreds of Deaths Every Year

However, when it comes to road accidents, what holiday has the most car accidents? Is Christmas a dangerous period for drivers? Although it may not be the busiest time of year, the weeks leading up to Christmas see their fair share of accidents.

By 2023, the National Safety Council (NSC) forecasts that December 25th will be the deadliest day of the holiday season, with around 345 fatalities. This corresponds to approximately 9% of all deaths occurring in December. The NSC predicts that there will be more than 600 fatalities between Christmas Day and New Year’s Day.

The government agency also highlights alcohol consumption as one of the contributing factors. In the 2019 holiday season, drunk driving accounted for 38% of traffic fatalities. According to a survey conducted by the American Addiction Centers, 42% of US citizens view drinking during the December holiday season as a family tradition.

The study also estimates that the average US citizen spends an average of four consecutive days drinking during the Christmas holiday. Between Christmas Day and New Year’s Eve, around 300 people lost their lives due to drunk driving.

Common Christmas Accidents and Injuries

Every year, the most anticipated time of the year for American society is linked to all kinds of injuries. These accidents can result from common actions such as lifting heavy gifts. Others are due to the negligence of another person or entity.

Here is a list of the most common holiday injury accidents that occur during the Christmas season:

• Decorative Lights
• Christmas Ornaments
• Contaminated Food
• Children’s Toys
• Defective Gifts
• Gift Opening
• Christmas Parade Incidents
• Trips and Falls in Shopping Malls
• Traffic Accidents
• Parking Lot Incidents
• Christmas Tree and Candle Fires

Christmas Lights and Decoration

It is important to realize that Christmas lights and decorations pose a greater danger than one might assume. These festive ornaments can lead to various types of injuries. As per a study conducted by Science News, it was found that over 31,000 people are harmed by tree lights on an annual basis. Shockingly, around 80,000 individuals experience electric shocks caused by different types of lighting every year. Negligent handling of Christmas decorations or lighting results in more than 12,000 individuals being hospitalized each year due to cuts, falls, and impacts.

Toys

Parents buy toys for their children to bring joy to their lives. However, there are many instances where things go awry, resulting in injuries to children. It is estimated that hospitals treated more than 150,000 cases of toy-related injuries in 2020.

Choking and suffocation resulting from toys containing small parts remain the primary cause of death and injury. Burns, bruises, and abrasions also contribute to incidents. In the event of injury or fatality, the child’s family has the right to sue those responsible.

Children under the age of 14 account for three-quarters of all injury cases. In addition, 37% of those injured were children under the age of 4.

Defective Gifts

Besides faulty children’s products, other presents can also have an impact on the well-being of older people. These injuries can arise from common objects like a poorly designed chair, jewelry that causes cuts, or a defective cellphone that explodes after overheating.

Christmas Parade Accidents

During the Christmas season, parades are popular events. They are often arranged by public entities, such as town halls, and take place on different streets. And despite the generally festive atmosphere of these parades, accidents occasionally occur. Horse processions, Santa’s carriage rides, or Christmas group dances can result in Christmas injuries.

A common type of accident at a parade usually involves vehicles. On several occasions, cars have run over the crowds attending these events. In fact, in the first two weeks of December, Bakersfield and then Coronado witnessed a tragic Christmas parade accident: two cars lost control and hit several people, causing multiple injuries and one fatality.

Slips and Falls in Shopping Malls

Who hasn’t felt a little cramped in shops when buying presents for the family? Whether you’re purchasing a new Xbox game, toys from Toys’R Us, or a handbag from Zara, the risk of injury is much higher during Christmas.

It’s a well-known fact that accidents due to negligence occur more frequently in stores during the holiday season. Overcrowded shops, misplaced decorations, spilled liquids on the floor, or even shopping carts can all cause trips, falls, and slips.

Business owners have a legal duty to ensure that their premises are safe for all customers. Failure to implement proper safety measures in shopping malls and stores where an injury occurs may result in litigation.

Traffic Accidents and Parking Lots

As previously mentioned, while the number of road accidents during Christmas is not excessively high when compared to other festive occasions, the casualties recorded are still quite significant: approximately 375 people lost their lives during the week leading up to the 25th of December. However, Christmas Eve is usually the day with the highest rate of accidents. Collisions caused by intoxicated or distracted drivers rank among the top causes of automobile crashes.

Pedestrians represent one of the main groups affected by these accidents. Whether crossing the street in downtown Los Angeles or walking through a shopping mall parking lot, the chances of being hit are higher at this time of year.

Fires From Christmas Trees and Candles

Christmas trees are susceptible to fire hazards. Overloaded sockets, lights, and candles increase the risk of fire. A simple spark can ignite a fire that spreads quickly in these Christmas trees, especially if the tree is natural and dry. But, how should one respond if a fire breaks out due to such negligence? The wisest course of action would be to seek the assistance of Christmas injury lawyers. It is also important to gather as much evidence as possible about the negligence that caused the fire.

Food Poisoning

There is no doubt that social life is much busier during the festive season. Who wouldn’t feel alluded to when people joke about gaining a few extra pounds at Christmas? The truth is that it is more common at this time of year to meet friends for some appetizers, enjoy a family meal at a local restaurant, or order takeout after a day of Christmas shopping.

With more customers coming in, restaurants are experiencing higher levels of activity. Unfortunately, this can sometimes lead to oversights that compromise consumer health. Such oversights include leaving food outside the refrigerator for too long, improper dish preparation, and use of expired ingredients.

Contrary to what most people think, contaminated food can cause harm to victims and may result in legal action.

Who Should You Call After a Personal Injury Case at Christmas?

Accidents can occur at any time during the Christmas holidays, especially among young children. Incidents like slips and falls might happen when visiting neighbors’ houses to check out the Christmas decorations, while singing carols, tripping on broken stairs, or even from fireworks.

If you or a family member has been injured due to negligence, do not hesitate to contact a legal expert. Christmas injury lawyers such as those at Adamson Ahdoot can ensure that the injured victim of an accident receives proper compensation.

Our Christmas Injury Lawyers Can Help You

After an accident, there are many reasons to contact personal injury lawyers such as Adamson Ahdoot. Even if you are unsure about the viability of your case, our attorneys can advise you. We will provide you with the guidance you need at this critical time. The legal team at Adamson Ahdoot can help with a range of issues, including:

• Understand your case with the sensitivity and delicacy you deserve.
• Help you comprehend the legal process thoroughly.
• Manage all necessary paperwork efficiently.
• Negotiate with the at-fault party’s insurance company on your behalf.
• Secure the medical assistance you require.
• File the lawsuit and provide you with legal representation to fight for your rights.

Call us today to arrange a free consultation with one of our experts. Our bilingual team is available 24/7.