Many New York and New Jersey families are planning end-of-summer trips over the long Labor Day weekend.  If you are traveling for Labor Day, take precautions to stay safe. With so many people on the road, Labor Day is the second worst holiday for fatal car accidents.

According to the Fatal Analysis Reporting System, or FARS, fatal accidents during the Labor Day weekend represent, on average, 13.14 percent of all accidents during the month of September. The only holiday that presents a higher risk of fatalities on the road is Thanksgiving, according to FARS.

You cannot control highway risks such as aggressive, fatigued or distracted drivers; however, there are things you can do before your trip to help prevent an accident.

• Tire Rotation and Balance: Your tires are where it all begins when you are traveling by car. If your tires are in bad shape, even the best engine won’t help you. Check the tread on your tires. If the tread is too low, then you need to replace your tires. If the tread is uneven, your vehicle may pull to one side, making it difficult to steer. In some cases, simply rotating and balancing your tires will solve this problem.
• Tire Pressure: Checking the pressure in your tires will take about five minutes, but could save lives. Both the heat of summer and the cold of winter can cause your tires to expand or contract, changing the tire pressure. Tires that are under-  or over-inflated can blow out or go flat — something that you do not want to happen at high speeds. If you are unsure what the correct tire pressure is, check the outside rim of the tire or read your vehicle’s service manual. If you do not own a tire gauge, many gas stations have an air machine with an attached gauge. Check the condition and pressure of your spare tire, too.
• Check Fluid Levels: Most people think to change their oil before a long trip, but be sure to check other fluids as well. Be certain that whoever changes your oil also checks your brake fluid, transmission fluid, power steering fluid, radiator and even your windshield washer fluid. A leak of any of these fluids could lead to trouble.
• Alignment: If your vehicle is pulling to one side, or you notice uneven wear on your tires, your vehicle could need an alignment. An alignment adjusts the angles of your wheels. When they are out of alignment, it affects both your ability to steer straight and the performance of your tires.
• Replace Windshield Wipers: People often don’t think about replacing wipers until it’s too late. Traveling at highway speeds in a downpour is definitely not a good time to find that your wipers don’t work. You can easily replace them yourself or ask the people who change your oil to do it for you.
• Emergency Preparedness: Having an emergency kit could be the difference between a short delay and a catastrophic accident. Each year thousands of people are injured and killed by passing vehicles when they are on the side of the road because of car trouble. If you have to pull over, your emergency kit can be a life saver. Items to pack include a spare tire, tire jack, tire iron, tire gauge, flares, flashlight, reflective triangles, reflective vest, jumper cables, a gallon of water, and extra fuses. If you must pull over, put on your reflective vest before you exit your car, and then set up your reflective triangles or flares to warn approaching vehicles.

If You Are Hurt on the Highway, Call a New York/New Jersey Accident Attorney

If you are injured in a car accident over the Labor Day weekend, and you believe that another party was to blame, you may be entitled to compensation. The New York / New Jersey car accident attorneys at Ginarte Gonzalez Winograd L.L.P., can help you understand your legal options.

With seven offices conveniently located in the New York/New Jersey metropolitan area, we have an office near you. Contact the firm today by calling 888-446-2783 for your free consultation or fill out our online contact form.