Holiday shopping? Check.

Buying all the ingredients for a holiday feast? Check.

Inviting friends and family over to celebrate? Check.

Hiring a personal injury lawyer? Say what, now?

The holiday season traditionally is a time for giving gifts, eating too much, and spending plenty of time with your loved ones. Sometimes, though, holidays can bring out the grinch in people. Encountering one of these individuals can bring the wrong kind of gifts to your holiday celebration – lawsuits.

Other times, you may find yourself injured because of someone else’s carelessness or negligence during the holidays. In that case, you may need to pursue a personal injury lawsuit against the responsible parties.

Here are some of the most common lawsuits filed during the holiday season and what you can do if you find yourself needing the services of an Albuquerque personal injury attorney this holiday season.

Automobile accidents

AAA expects roughly 102 million Americans to drive to their holiday destinations this year. Your chances of getting into an automobile accident increase when there are more drivers on the roadways. Albuquerque is known for having some of the most dangerous roadways in the country. Whether you’re traveling 2 miles down the road to get that jar of gravy you forgot for your meal, or you’re driving 40 miles to grandma’s house, all it takes is one reckless driver to ruin your holiday.

If you become the victim of careless driving, protecting your rights is critical. Never agree to talk to insurance companies or attorneys for the at-fault party without first consulting an Albuquerque personal injury lawyer. Saying or doing the wrong thing can mean the difference between receiving fair compensation for your injuries and getting cheated by insurance and legal representatives protecting their client’s bottom line.

Holiday party injuries

‘Tis the season for holiday parties. Company parties can be lawsuits waiting to happen under certain conditions. Providing an open bar for employees is one of them.

Drunk individuals make poor choices that can include getting behind the wheel. If you serve alcohol as part of your holiday festivities at the office, do so knowing you’re liable if someone overindulges and causes a serious accident later while driving drunk.

Holiday party injuries don’t have to be limited to someone making the decision to drive drunk. People who have had too much alcohol become uncoordinated. It becomes more difficult for them to think and move at the same time. They may end up falling and getting seriously injured or causing injury to another party-goer. Again, your company may be liable for a personal injury lawsuit in these situations.

Eliminating or restricting alcohol at company parties is a smart move to protect yourself from personal injury lawsuits in Albuquerque.

Slips and falls

Slips and falls are other common injuries during the holidays. They can happen if the weather turns cold and a property owner fails to properly treat their sidewalks and driveway. Guests also can get hurt by tripping hazards in your home or business, including holiday decorations, cords for outdoor lights, and even toys opened and left lying around.

You can protect your home or business from personal injury lawsuits by ensuring all public areas are hazard-free. Keep outdoor areas safe by shoveling and salting (if necessary).

Unfortunately, this time of year can bring out scammers looking to cash in on slip-and-fall personal injury lawsuits. If you think you’re the victim of such a scam, it’s important to reach out to an Albuquerque personal injury lawyer who can assess the situation and help you determine the best steps to protect yourself.

Rely on experienced personal injury lawyers

If you’re the victim of someone else’s negligence this holiday season, you have recourse. Contacting an experienced personal injury attorney in Albuquerque is the first step you should take to protect your rights.

Bill Russell knows the ins and outs of personal injury law in Albuquerque. He can evaluate your case and make suggestions for the most effective strategy for receiving fair compensation. Reach out today to schedule your free consultation.