Thanksgiving is a holiday that comes with its own special quirks – from stuffed turkey to backyard football. The long, festive weekend is the perfect time to visit distant family and friends.

Unfortunately, driving through heavy traffic on unfamiliar roads is dangerous. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) warns that 416 motorists died in crashes over the 2012 Thanksgiving holiday weekend – and 42 percent of those incidents involved a drunk driver.

Impaired driving is a well-known hazard on Thanksgiving. People who normally would not drink alcohol – let alone drive under the influence – choose to make an exception.

If you suffer an injury on your Thanksgiving road trip, contact The Law Office of Brian K. Branch, PC. An Albuquerque injury attorney will help you claim compensation for health-care expenses, lost income and non-economic damages.

Call 505-207-4401 to schedule a free initial consultation. You can also visit USAttorneys.com to learn more about car accident injury lawsuits.

5 Safe-Driving Tips That Could Save Your Life This Thanksgiving

According to the NHTSA, one person died every 51 minutes in alcohol-related crashes in 2012. The best way to avoid these accidents is not to drink and drive – that’s no secret. Unfortunately, you cannot control the actions of other motorists.

Here are five tips to keep you and your family safe on your Thanksgiving road trip:

  1. Buckle Up: In the excitement of a trip out of state, it is easy to forget to wear your seat belt. Make sure all occupants of your vehicle are safely secured before you depart. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, wearing a seat belt is the most effective way to prevent injuries and death in the event of an accident.
  1. Make Sure Kids Sit in Child Seats: Infants who sit in car seats have a 71 percent lower risk of dying. Child seats also reduce the risk of death for toddlers by 54 percent.
  1. Eliminate Distractions: Anything that pulls your attention away from the task of driving is a dangerous distraction. This includes texting, eating, drinking and adjusting your in-car entertainment system.
  1. Avoid Aggressive Driving: On Thanksgiving weekend, the roads will be congested with travelers, so be patient and cautious. Try to leave for your destination early to avoid the temptation to drive aggressively.
  1. Don’t Rush: It’s tempting to speed if you’re behind schedule. However, according to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, speeding was a contributing factor in 28 percent of motor-vehicle accident fatalities in 2014.

If you or a family member suffers an injury on your Thanksgiving road trip, turn to The Law Office of Brian K. Branch, PC. An injury attorney in Albuquerque will help you fight for the maximum compensation.

With a combined 32 years in legal practice, our car accident lawyers have the experience and professionalism to guide you through the claims process. Call 505-207-4401 to schedule a free initial consultation.