Most people welcome the onset of summer with open arms. For kids, summer means that school is out, and sleeping late is in. From summer camps to swimming pools, the days are long and filled with fun.
There are also plenty of activities to keep adults entertained. Some people look forward to vacation travel. Others plan family activities like boating, camping, fishing, water skiing, trips to the ocean, and visits to see relatives.
Unfortunately, summer is also a time in which certain types of personal injury accidents are more likely to occur. In this article, we will discuss some of the most common causes of summertime injuries.
Automobile Accidents
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), traffic accidents generally increase during summer months. Therefore, everyone on the road is at increased risk of being involved in a motor vehicle collision and suffering injury. There are a number of reasons often associated with these statistics, including:
- More people on the road: With summer comes more vacations and more events for children that keep parents on the road. It seems like everyone has somewhere to go. With increased traffic, there is an increased chance of an accident.
- Increase in teen drivers: With school out for the summer, the roads are filled with teenage drivers. These drivers are inexperienced and sometimes exhibit poor judgment. Thus, with the increase of teenage drivers comes a greater likelihood of automobile accidents.
- Increased road construction: In many locales, there is an effort to address additional construction projects during the warm summer months. As anyone who has ever driven in a construction area can attest, lane closures, barrels, blinking signs, unfamiliarity with changes, and a whole host of other factors can make these areas dangerous for motorists.
- More bicycles, motorcycles, and pedestrians: The summer months understandably bring out more bicyclists, motorcyclists, and pedestrians who wish to enjoy the summer weather. Unfortunately, they are using the roadway at the same time that vehicular traffic is at its highest. This can lead to more accidents.
Dog Bites
Do dog bite accidents increase during the summer? It appears they do. One analysis performed in New York found that about half of that state’s dog bites for the year occurred during the summer months. Similarly, an ABC News article found that children are most at risk to suffer dog bites in the summer months, including severe bites in the neck and head.
Researchers did not offer dispositive evidence of causation for the increase in dog bites, but offered a couple of theories. One, children are outside playing a great deal more in the summer than in other months. Second, researchers theorized that just like humans, dogs could be more irritable in hot weather, especially when they are placed in more crowded social situations with less space to themselves.
Boating Accidents and Drowning Deaths
It won’t come as a surprise to anyone that boating accidents and drowning deaths increase in summer months. After all, that is when it is warm enough to really enjoy the water. People swim at beaches, lakes, rivers, and pools. When boating, not only do people use motorboats, many also enjoy kayaks, canoes and rafting. Of course, there are also dangers involved when enjoying the water. According to Safe Kids Oregon, drowning incidents can increase as much as 89 percent in summer months.
Call with Questions
Summer should be a family time filled with fun and making memories. Unfortunately, a negligent person, such as a distracted driver of a boat or car, or one who has consumed alcohol, can alter your life in the blink of an eye. Similarly, a dangerous dog, not properly attended, can cause life-changing injury.
If you or a family member has suffered personal injury due to the negligence of another person, you have the right to be compensated and made whole. At Nelson MacNeil Rayfield, our experienced personal injury attorneys have handled cases all across Oregon. From dog bites to automobile accidents, we have seen it all and stand ready to help. Please call us with any of your questions and we will happily answer them.