The Phoenix injury lawyers at Abels & Annes wish you a safe and enjoyable Fourth of July weekend and encourage you to celebrate responsibly, avoid drinking and driving, and leave the fireworks to the professionals.
Drink Responsibly and Don’t Drink and Drive
Phoenix car accidents caused by drunk driving are also a concern over the Fourth of July holiday.
Nationwide, someone dies every 45 minutes in a car accident involving a drunk driver. In Arizona, alcohol was involved in 329 of the 937 traffic fatalities reported in 2008, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
Safe Boating
Arizona boating accidents are a frequent cause of summer injuries. As we reported on our Phoenix Injury Lawyer Blog, Arizona ranks 7th in the nation for the number of serious and fatal boating accidents. Only Michigan, which is home to three of the Great Lakes, and the coastal states of Florida, California, Texas, New York and Maryland record more serious and fatal boating accidents. The Coast Guard reported 158 serious or fatal boating accidents in Arizona in 2008.
Firework Injuries
More than two-thirds of fireworks injuries occur around the Fourth of July holiday. Each year, approximately 10,000 people are treated in hospital emergency rooms for injuries caused by fireworks, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Children are at high risk, with nearly half of all fireworks injuries involving victims under the age of 20 — one-third involve children under the age of 15.The most common injuries reported involve the hands, eyes, and the head, face and ears. Burns, contusions, lacerations and foreign objects in the eyes are the most frequently reported reasons for emergency room visits.Fireworks injuries can lead to blindness, third-degree burns and permanent scaring. Common causes of injuries are improper use of professional-grade fireworks, being too close to fireworks, operator error, child curiosity and the use of homemade devices.
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