holiday accidents

Published on: July 1, 2026

Prevent Firework Injuries this Fourth of July

As Americans gear up to celebrate the Fourth of July and our nation’s 250th anniversary, many plan to shoot their own fireworks. However, before you purchase and use fireworks, it’s important to know which fireworks have been recalled, which fireworks are legal in your state, and how to use them safely.

While fireworks can be fun and awe-inspiring, they are also responsible for injuries and even deaths. According to the US Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), fireworks use has doubled from 2000 to 2025, with estimated injuries also growing 36.8%. In 2025 alone, fireworks were associated with an estimated 13,005 injuries, with 25% of these injuries requiring hospitalization and 24 fatalities. The most common types of injuries in 2025 were fractures, amputations, and burns. The National Fire Protection Association also reports that in 2024, fireworks resulted in 34, 079 fires, causing both structural damage and injuries, including injuries to children.

While most fireworks purchased in the US are legal, there are fireworks that have received one or more Notice of Violation from the CPSC. These notices were for violations such as pyrotechnic material leakage, containing prohibited chemicals, being prone to turn over while in operation, or lack of secure fuel attachment. If you were injured while using fireworks, it’s worth making sure that your product was not the target of one of these notices. In addition to NOVs, some fireworks are recalled for lack of safety. On June 18, 2026, Bada Boom Fireworks recalled their product “Diablo Rising.” This product was found to violate the federal limit for pyrotechnics, and therefore is liable to cause severe burns and injuries. Customers who purchased this product can return it for a full refund by contacting Bada Boom Fireworks at (570) 646-9029 or by email at badaboomfireworks@yahoo.com. In addition, before purchasing other fireworks it’s worth checking to make sure your product hasn’t been recalled.

Published on: December 23, 2025

Shop Safely – Avoid Parking Lot Accidents

by Robert N. Katz, Esq.

During the holiday season, many of us are shopping for gifts and food more than usual, especially if we’re hosting gatherings. While you’re out and about, be aware of heightened risk of accidents in crowded parking lots. Not only are there more cars and pedestrians, but people are often in a hurry to check off that next to-do item. Unfortunately, crowded streets and hurried driving are a bad combination that can end in accidents.

While driving in parking lots, practice these tips to improve your safety, and the safety of those around you:

Don’t rely on technology. Modern vehicles have improved cameras and tracking devices, but they’re not fool-proof. In fact, they can be a hazard when over-relied upon. When backing up, don’t rely on the camera to pick up everything, especially in crowded lots. Use your mirrors and turn around to double-check your blind spots.

Published on: November 25, 2025

Blackout Wednesday: Stay Safe Before Thanksgiving

by Robert N. Katz, Esq.

The day before Thanksgiving is famously the biggest travel day in the US. Unfortunately, that Wednesday evening is also a big night for bar hopping and binge drinking for young adults, also referred to as “Blackout Wednesday.” The combination of high road traffic and elevated DUI rates leads to a spike in fatalities. Between 2019-2022, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s (NHTSA) reported that drunk driving accidents occurred at a 40% increase during the holidays, and 2021 saw 1,247 fatalities between Thanksgiving and New Years’ due to alcohol-related accidents. In 2025, the potential for incidents has increased, as AAA expects 73 million people on the road for Thanksgiving, a 1.3 million increase from 2024. This number could even rise if more flights continue to be canceled.

Before you get on the road, there are several factors to keep in mind:

Dram Laws: Establishments which serve alcohol have duties to the public through what is called “dram laws.” This applies not only to bars and liquor stores, but also to event spaces serving alcohol, restaurants, convenience stores, and even grocery stores. Dram laws state that owners or servers of these establishments may be held partially liable if a drunk driver injures another party. The following must apply in order for a dram shop lawsuit to take effect:

Published on: November 13, 2024

Avoid Car Accidents This Thanksgiving Holiday

by Robert N. Katz, Esq.

The Thanksgiving holiday weekend is one of the deadliest holidays of the year with law enforcement agencies recording thousands of car accidents during these 4 days.

Thanksgiving ranks right up there with New Year’s Eve, St. Patrick’s Day and Cinco de Mayo as one of the most alcohol -intense holidays of the year. There is a special tradition attached to Thanksgiving which makes it even more strongly linked to alcohol – related car accidents. The Wednesday before the Thanksgiving holiday, typically called Drinksgiving or Black Out Wednesday, ranks as the single biggest drinking day of the year. More alcohol is consumed on this Wednesday than on any other holiday. This means that as you set out for your Thanksgiving break, you are likely to be sharing the road with people who are highly intoxicated on alcohol after having drunk excessively the previous day.

It is not just drunk drivers that motorists need to be extra cautious of during Thanksgiving. Statistics show the incidence of all other types of dangerous driving behaviors including speeding and distracted driving also increases over this holiday weekend. This combination of drinking, being distracted by mobile phones and other passengers in the car as well as speeding to get to their destination on time makes for an ideal combination that increases the risks of being involved a serious car accident. Bear in mind that the Thanksgiving holiday is also when emergency responders and hospital emergency rooms are stressed to their limit which means that if you are involved in a serious car accident, help might be delayed.

Published on: January 11, 2024

Multiple Car Accident Deaths Reported Across Georgia over Thanksgiving

by Robert N. Katz, Esq.

First responders attended to multiple victims of car accidents across Georgia over the Thanksgiving holiday weekend.

Across Georgia and the country, law enforcement authorities were reporting record volumes of traffic. More than 55 million Americans are reported to have travelled over the holiday weekend. Unfortunately, as is often the case, large volumes of traffic make for greater numbers of auto accidents. In Georgia, the scene was no better as more than 23 accident fatalities were confirmed over the Thanksgiving holiday weekend. This year, the holiday weekend stretched from 6:00 pm on Wednesday to 11:59 p.m. on Sunday.

Apart from the 23 wrongful deaths, numerous other persons are reported to have suffered personal injuries in these car accidents. At least one busy interstate had to be shut down for 7 hours after a car accident involving an 18 -wheeler and an SUV. At least five out of the 23 fatalities occurred in a single car accident.

Published on: June 29, 2019

NSC Predicts Close to 600 Traffic Accident Fatalities This Fourth of July

by Robert N. Katz, Esq.

The Fourth of July falls on a Thursday this year, which means most people will make it a long holiday weekend from work. The Fourth of July is not only one of the country’s most popular holiday weekends, but it’s also one of the most deadly. The holiday accounts for hundreds of deaths every year, and this year’s July Fourth is not expected to be any different.

The National Safety Council predicts that this Fourth of July weekend will be just as deadly as previous years, with an approximate 565 people expected to be killed in motor vehicle and other accidents. It also predicts around 64,000 injuries in accidents occurring over the holiday.

These predictions were made based on previous crash data. For instance in 2017, there were a total of 601 fatalities in traffic accidents over the holiday weekend. That was a significant 23 percent increase from the previous year. At least 39 percent of those accidents involved a drunk driver.

Published on: November 12, 2018

How to Avoid a Trip to the Emergency Room This Holiday Season

by Robert N. Katz, Esq.

The upcoming holiday season is one of the busiest times of the year for emergency rooms throughout the country and in Atlanta. Injuries and accidents are more common during this time, and there are a number of reasons people find themselves having to go for treatment at an overcrowded ER from food poisoning and alcohol related accidents to kitchen and fire accidents.

Here are some ways you can help reduce your chances of requiring a visit to the ER this holiday season.

While indulging in your Thanksgiving feast, take steps to avoid being exposed to food poisoning. Be sure not to consume undercooked or expired food, and always be aware of any food recall notices

Published on: November 26, 2015

Black Friday Injuries and Deaths

by Robert N. Katz, Esq.

We call it “Black Friday” because it’s traditionally the day when retailers move their accounting ledgers from red ink (deficits) to black ink (profits).

Increasingly, though, America’s biggest shopping day is becoming “Black-and-Blue Friday,” as scores of innocent consumers find themselves seriously injured while out and about. Some have even died.

The Internet is catching on to the disturbing trend. BlackFridayDeathCount.com is as macabre as it is blunt, but the website, which tracks the number of injuries and deaths reported since 2006, has gained a lot of attention over the last few years.

Published on: July 4, 2015

Drunk Driver Warning for Fourth of July

by Robert N. Katz, Esq.

Independence Day is the holiday highlight of the summer, but it’s also the deadliest weekend of the year where traffic accidents are concerned.

So before the parades roll out, the cymbals clash, and sparklers light the sky, we want to issue an important word of warning to all our clients, neighbors, and friends in the community: people will be driving under the influence of alcohol this weekend.

Each year, DUI ranks as the #1 cause of death for travelers during the Fourth of July. These are preventable deaths caused by the careless decisions of revelers who take the party too far. You don’t have to be one of their victims.

Published on: July 13, 2014

Tips to Stay Safe in the Summer

by Robert N. Katz, Esq.

The warm summer months are in full swing, and so are the numerous health and safety risks that are prevalent during this time. Both adults and children are exposed to the risks of being injured in auto accidents, dog bites, boating and swimming incidents, barbecue fires and other safety risks during the weeks of summer. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has good advice for Americans to stay injury-free during the warm months of summer.

One of the biggest injury risks in the summer is being involved in a car accident.The months of June, July and August are considered the peak season for motor vehicle collisions, simply because there are more vehicles on the road. Add to this the fact that too many of these motorists will be in a hurry to arrive at their destination, or will have had some alcohol to drink prior to getting behind the wheel, it’s easy to see the dangers that exist.

Take into account that there are more drunk drivers and speeding drivers on the road.Try to keep the amount of traveling that you do at night to a minimum, and find less-traveled routes.Always wear your seatbelt, never drink and drive, and stay within the speed limit or a safe speed based on road conditions.If you’re going to drink at a summer party, stay the night or have a sober driver take you home.