Memorial Day Weekend is commonly thought of as the “unofficial start of Summer.” Although Memorial Day 2021 may still look a little different from weekends of the past due to COVID-19-related restrictions and closures, this year people still have many opportunities to get out and enjoy the holiday weekend.
However, the activities that people enjoy on Memorial Day Weekend can lead to serious or potentially devastating accidents and injuries. Below are some of the most common accidents and injuries to watch out for if celebrating the Memorial Day holiday.
Boat Accidents
Many people across New Jersey take their boats out for Memorial Day Weekend. Unfortunately, a boating accident can occur due to causes such as:
- Operator inattention/negligence
- Operator inexperience
- Mechanical failure
- Improper lookout for obstacles or other vessels
- Alcohol/drug use
Boating accidents can lead to a wide variety of injuries, such as:
- Lacerations
- Broken bones
- Soft-tissue injuries
- Head trauma
- Traumatic brain injury
- Burns
- Crush injuries
- Amputation
Of course, one of the most serious consequences of a boating accident is drowning, which may occur if someone is thrown from a boat or when their boat capsizes or sinks. Drownings are responsible for hundreds of deaths in boating accidents every year.
DUI Accidents
Memorial Day Weekend is also a great opportunity for barbecues and parties. Alcohol is typically present at these festivities, leading to many people making the decision to get behind the wheel while intoxicated. Drunk driving accidents often are more severe than your typical motor vehicle accident, leading to serious injuries like:
- Broken bones
- Neck and back injuries
- Spinal cord injuries
- Traumatic brain injury
- Internal organ injury or internal bleeding
- Amputations
DUI accidents can leave victims with injuries that leave permanent disabilities and require a lifetime of expensive care, including purchasing wheelchairs or making home modifications to accommodate disabilities. You can help avoid being injured in a DUI accident by making the decision not to drink and drive, not to get in the car with someone who has been drinking and to always wear your seatbelt while in a vehicle.
Read more: Can You Sue If You Get Hit By A Drunk Driver?
Fires and Explosions
The Memorial Day holiday is also often an opportunity for people to light the grill, or to start a bonfire or set off fireworks after the sun goes down. As a result, burns and smoke inhalation injuries from fires, fireworks, and explosions are a common occurrence on Memorial Day Weekend. You can help protect yourself from injury from fires and fireworks by following simple safety tips, including:
- Light grills or fire pits on level ground.
- Follow lighting instructions when using charcoal, lighter fluid, or firewood
- Never leave a fire or lit grill unattended
- If cooking over an open fire, always use tools long enough to allow you to stand away from the fire.
- Avoid lighting open fires if conditions are dry, and avoid standing downwind of an open fire
- Keep the area clear when lighting fireworks, and make sure fireworks are pointed away from people and structures
- If you are extinguishing a grill or fire, keep pouring water over the wood or charcoal until you hear the hissing sound stop. Never bury smoldering embers.
Read more: When Do You Need A Personal Injury Lawyer?
Contact a Haddonfield Personal Injury Lawyer to Discuss Your Case in New Jersey
Did you or a loved one sustain serious injuries in New Jersey? Don’t let the medical bills pile up while you wait for the negligent party or their insurance company to do the right thing. Right now, you need an aggressive personal injury attorney on your side, fighting to get you the compensation you need, want, and deserve. The skilled attorneys at The Law Offices of Andres, Berger & Tran P.C. represent clients injured in Haddonfield, Cherry Hill, Moorestown, Mt. Laurel, and throughout New Jersey. Call (856) 795-1444 or fill out our online contact form to schedule a free consultation about your case. We have an office conveniently located at 264 Kings Hwy. E., Haddonfield, NJ 08033.
The articles on this blog are for informative purposes only and are no substitute for legal advice or an attorney-client relationship. If you are seeking legal advice, please contact our law firm directly.
