While driving can be treacherous in West Virginia during the winter months, the Mountain State’s roads actually become more dangerous when temperatures rise and traffic becomes more congested. Holiday weekends are known as a particularly hazardous time to take to the roads, and data from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety reveals that July 4 is the deadliest day of the year for drivers. When Travelers Insurance examined personal insurance claims, the company found that accidents, injuries and deaths are more common during the Independence Day holiday period than they are over the Memorial Day and Labor Day weekends.

Public holidays and warm summer weather will generally be enough to prompt Americans to venture out, and more cars mean more distracted, reckless and drunk drivers on the nation’s roads. Nerves can fray and tempers can flare when temperatures soar and traffic slows to a crawl, and holiday driving is often made even more hazardous by the added menace of road rage.

Motorists who wish to arrive at their destinations unharmed should plan their routes carefully and check their tire pressures and safety systems before setting out. Experienced drivers know that breakdowns and accidents can catch even the most diligent of individuals unprepared, and they may carry emergency kits containing first aid supplies as well as food and water just to err on the side of caution. These kits should also contain basic tools, warning triangles or road flares and jumper cables. However, drivers can best reduce their chances of being involved in a car accident by remaining alert, eschewing their cellphones while behind the wheel and avoiding alcohol and drugs.

Most car accidents involve a negligent driver, and this is especially true during festive periods when many road users have been out celebrating. Experienced personal injury attorneys may seek to hold reckless motorists accountable for the suffering they cause by filing lawsuits against them on behalf of those who they have injured.