As we mentioned a couple weeks ago, travel on Connecticut’s roadways tends to increase around the winter holidays. The weeks between Christmas and New Year’s Day generally find heavy traffic on the highways that transect the state, as well as in urban areas like Bridgeport. Unfortunately, this, coupled with the penchant for residents to be going to and from parties where alcohol is served during this time period, as well as the often inclement winter weather the state experiences, can contribute to a rise in serious accidents. The results of these crashes can be serious, with injuries and death as potential consequences.
This year, the Connecticut State Police have reported at least 6 fatalities in accidents in the state between Dec. 22, 2016 and Jan 2, 2017. These included a pedestrian hit by an alleged drunk driver, and a man who was ejected from a vehicle that rolled down a slope. The latter individual was not wearing a seatbelt. Over 1,100 accidents were reported during this time period, including 125 that caused injury to people. Further, there were 81 arrests for Driving Under the Influence (DUI), and 705 individuals cited for speeding.
As can be seen, the holidays can be a dangerous time to be on the road. However, car accidents can occur at any time of the year. When individuals eschew their responsibilities and act negligently, whether by drinking and driving or going too fast for the road and the conditions, people can be injured or killed.
Those hurt in accidents caused by another’s negligence, or the loved ones of someone who was killed, may be able to receive monetary compensation in the form of legal damages. These awards serve not only to hold the negligent individual responsible, but to help cover the costs of the victims, and perhaps compensate victims to some extent for their pain and suffering.
Source: Bridgeport.dailyvoice.com, “State Police Report 6 Fatalities, Thousands Of Violations During Holidays,” Donna Christopher, Karen Tensa, Jan. 3, 2017
