As the leading experts in personal injury claims, we know that warmer weather is always accompanied by more serious at-fault car accidents

With winter slowly receding and spring weather finally on the way, many people in the Boston area are starting to daydream about long, hot summer days and are planning their summer vaactions.

Since COVID-19 continues to impact international travel, more and more Americans are opting for domestic vacations, with road trips being a popular and budget-friendly choice. At Swartz & Swartz, P.C., we are excited to put the winter behind us. However, as leading experts in personal injury claims, we know that the warmer weather is always accompanied by more serious at-fault car accidents.

Surprised? According to a recent analysis of traffic fatalities by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), in the first nine months of 2020, while vehicle miles travelled decreased by 355.5 billion miles compared to last year, traffic fatalities increased from June to September. Furthermore, the traffic fatalities that occurred during the 2020 summer months increased by about 13% compared to the fatalities that happened during the same months in 2019.

Before you cancel your road trip plans, our attorneys at Swartz & Swartz, P.C. want to share some practical advice to get your vehicle read for summer driving and explain why there are more accidents during the summer months.

So why do more serious vehicle accidents happen in the summer is because there are more cars on the road. Simply put, the more cars there are on the road, the more accidents will happen. While the NHTSA sugests that stay-at-home orders contirubted to a decrease in the amount of vehicle miles travelled last year, with vaccines rolling out and stay-at-home orders being lifted in states across the country, there is reason to expect our roads and highways will see an increase in traffic this summer. That’s why it’s so important to stay alert and off your phone while driving – it’s also illegal in Massachusetts to read, write or send a text message while driving.

A third explanation for the increase in car accidents during the summer months is the effect hot weather can have on your vehicle’s tires. Science tells us that while cold temperatures cause your tires to contract, hotter temperatures cause your tires to expand. With aging tires and tires that need to be replaced, rapid expansion and sizzling asphalt temperatures can cause your tire to blow out, potentially leading to a serious accident.

Before summer is upon us, it’s important for you take your car in for routine maintenance. Our attorneys at Swartz & Swartz, P.C., have put together this helpful checklist to ensure your vehicle is in good working order before you hit the road this summer.

Tire pressure, Tire tread, Car battery, Transmission fluid, Power steering fluid, Windshield wiper fluids, Oil, Brake lights, Headlights, Turn signals, Emergency flashers, Emergency kit, Gas tank,

Call the attorneys at Swartz & Swartz P.C.

Despite best efforts to drive safetly and be aware of the risk of summer driving, accidents will still happen. If you are injured in an at-fault accident, our attorneys at Swartz & Swartz, P.C. will work with you to file your claim and support your along the way. Give us a call now at 617.742.1900