Halloween this year in Knoxville may look a little different than Halloween in years past. However, according to one report, 58% of people in the U.S. still plan on celebrating this spooky holiday. But these festivities can come to a quick and tragic end if a person is involved in a motor vehicle accident caused by a drunk driver or is involved in a pedestrian accident.
Drunk driving sees an uptick over Halloween
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reports that nearly 30 individuals lose their life every day due to a drunk driving accident. According to the U.S. Department of Transportation, there is generally an increase in fatal drunk driving accidents over Halloween. In the years spanning from 2013 to 2017, 158 individuals lost their lives in a drunk driving accident over Halloween. And, of all fatal motor vehicle accidents that occurred on October 31, 42% involved a drunk driver.
Pedestrian accidents are common over Halloween
In addition to drunk driving, pedestrian accidents are common during Halloween. Many children and their parents take to the streets in costume to trick-or-treat over this holiday. However, this increases the risk of pedestrian accidents. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety reports that in the years spanning from 2013 to 2017, the two most deadly days for pedestrian accidents were October 31 and continuing through the night into November 1. According to the National Safety Council, kids are two times as likely to die from being hit by a car on Halloween than on any other day of the year.
A Halloween motor vehicle accident could lead to a personal injury claim
Those who are involved in a drunk driving crash or pedestrian accident in Knoxville this Halloween may be seriously injured or could even lose their life. When this happens, the victim or his or her survivors may want to pursue a personal injury or wrongful death lawsuit. Doing so could provide them with the compensation they need to move on following the crash.