Select Page

How to Safely Celebrate Memorial Day Weekend

How to Safely Celebrate Memorial Day Weekend

Practice Areas

Safety tips for Memorial Day weekend in South Florida

While many people may flock to Daytona Beach and other popular areas of Florida to celebrate Memorial Day Weekend, the fun and festivities can easily be ruined by avoidable accidents and injuries. If you’re heading to the beach for the holiday weekend, here are some tips to remember to help keep safe.

Common Causes of Memorial Day Weekend Accidents

Memorial Day Weekend in and around Florida can lead to a wide variety of accidents, including motor vehicle accidents, boating accidents, watercraft accidents, and swimming accidents. Some of the most common causes of accidents over the holiday weekend include:

  • Driving a vehicle or operating a boat or watercraft under the influence of alcohol or drugs
  • Distracted driving/boating
  • Driving or boating while tired or fatigued
  • Driving or boating at night
  • Speeding
  • Driving/boating in poor weather
  • Boating around people in the water
  • Exceeding the passenger capacity of boats or watercraft
  • Inadequate/negligence maintenance of beaches
  • Negligent lifeguarding

Injuries Suffered in Memorial Day Accidents

Unfortunately, accidents that occur over Memorial Day Weekend can lead to a wide variety of injuries that can ruin the holiday and leave you with weeks or months of recovery. Common injuries suffered over Memorial Day Weekend include:

  • Lacerations
  • Broken bones
  • Sprain, strains, and tears of ligaments, tendons, and muscles
  • Neck and back injuries
  • Head injuries
  • Traumatic brain injury
  • Spinal cord injuries and paralysis
  • Burns
  • Internal organ damage or internal bleeding
  • Amputations

How to Stay Safe over the Weekend

In order to stay safe out on the road, on the water, or on the beach over the Memorial Day Weekend, you should keep the following safety tips in mind:

  • If you plan on drinking, avoid driving or operating a bike or boat. Plan on having a designated driver for your vehicle to drive home. Alternatively, if you’re going out to a party or event, you may also consider taking a taxi or rideshare to get to your destination.
  • Always make sure that your vehicle, whether a car, bike, or watercraft, is in good working condition.
  • When on the water, make sure you have flotation devices for everyone on board. Also remember to wear a life vest when riding on a jet ski or other similar watercraft. 
  • Check the weather forecast and consider waiting out bad weather rather than getting out on the road or water.
  • Avoid driving, biking, or boating home at night if possible. 
  • Avoid the temptation to text or use your cell phone while driving or operating a bike or boat.
  • Avoid jumping in for a swim in waters with a lot of boats or boat traffic — operators may have a hard time seeing a swimmer in the water.
  • If going to the beach, make sure that you’re aware of any warning, such as riptide or jellyfish warnings. If you go into the ocean for a swim, make sure you know what to do in the event you do get caught in a riptide or rip current or undertow.
  • Always wear shoes or sandals when walking on the beach, as beach sand may obscure broken glass or other trash or debris that may injure you.

Contact a Lake Worth Personal Injury Lawyer to Discuss Your Case in Florida

Did you or a loved one sustain serious injuries in Florida? Don’t let the medical bills pile up while you wait for the negligent party or their insurance company to do the right thing. Right now, you need an aggressive personal injury attorney on your side, fighting to get you the compensation you need, want, and deserve. The skilled attorneys at Gonzalez & Cartwright, P.A. represent clients injured in West Palm Beach, Fort Lauderdale, Pembroke Pines, Hollywood, and throughout Florida. Call (561) 533-0345 or fill out our online contact form to schedule a free consultation about your case. We have an office conveniently located at 813 Lucerne Ave., Lake Worth, FL 33460, as well as offices in Pompano Beach.

The articles on this blog are for informative purposes only and are no substitute for legal advice or an attorney-client relationship. If you are seeking legal advice, please contact our law firm directly.

What People are Saying

What People are Saying

Carla

West Palm Beach, Florida

“They made the whole process really easy. They updated me with what was going on with my car insurance, they helped me out with where to go to get a car rental. They knew my case, they knew who I was, and they could really just guide me toward the right direction.”

 

Freno

West Palm Beach, Florida

“When I came over here, they treated me like family. I really appreciate it. I referred them to a couple of friends. I explained to my friends and family how the office treated me so good.”

 

No cost, No obligation
injury case evaluation

Injured? Tell us what happened.