The Holiday Season and New Year Bring Increases in Bankruptcy and Personal Injury Cases
The holiday season is here and the new year is around the corner. During this time of year our Philadelphia law firm sees a rise in bankruptcy and personal injury cases. Whether from the financial strain and overspending common during the Christmas holiday or the dangerous road conditions and often alcohol-fueled holiday celebrations that lead to accidents, the holiday season and new year are popular times for personal injury and bankruptcy cases.
“’Tis the Season” for Personal Injury
As experienced personal injury attorneys, every year we see the holiday season bring with it an increase in the number of personal injury cases involving injuries and deaths as a result of motor vehicle accidents occurring during the time period just before Thanksgiving through the day after the New Year holiday.
The most common factors that tend to cause this holiday season spike include:
- More drivers on the road traveling to be with family and friends
- Icy, wet and dangerous road conditions
- Fatigued drivers on traveling long distances
With more people on the road heading to attend holiday parties, there is an increase in accidents with drunk drivers and passengers overlooking safety precautions due to alcohol-impaired judgment. According to the NHTSA, during the 2018 Thanksgiving holiday weekend, nearly one in three traffic fatalities involved a drunk driver and almost half of all passenger vehicle occupants killed in traffic crashes were unbuckled. And, just a few weeks later during Christmas and New Year, the rates for automobile accident fatalities that involved alcohol went up to more than 40 percent. With alcoholic beverages consumed at many holiday events this statistic comes as no surprise.
Ringing in the New Year with Bankruptcy
For some, overspending from Christmas gift-giving, travel, and unplanned holiday expenses result in ringing in the new year overwhelmed by debt. Once the festivities from the holidays are over, they find their financial situation is no longer manageable and a solution must be found. Often, that solution is to seek debt relief through Chapter 7 or Chapter 11 bankruptcy.
If you anticipate this holiday season may drive you further into debt and push your finances over the edge, learning more about bankruptcy rules and debt relief options is important. For instance, running up debt and increasing spending right before filing bankruptcy can be looked upon negatively by a bankruptcy court and even considered fraudulent borrowing. Don’t put your financial future at risk. Get experienced assistance to decide whether bankruptcy is the right decision for your situation.
Contact Alfred Abel Law Offices For Philadelphia-Area Legal Counsel
The attorneys at Alfred Abel Law Offices are dedicated to providing clients in Pennsylvania and the surrounding areas with practical and effective legal advice. With more than 30 years as a practicing personal injury and bankruptcy attorney, Alfred Abel, Esq. has the necessary expertise and skills to meet the diverse needs of both bankruptcy and personal injury clients. Contact Alfred Abel Law Offices at 215-517-8300 to schedule your consultation.
Tags: Bankruptcy, personal injury