Why Thanksgiving Eve Is So Dangerous
Thanksgiving Eve accident risks make this holiday one of the most hazardous nights for drivers. The biggest factor is alcohol. Many people return to their hometowns to reconnect with friends, and bars often promote drink specials that encourage heavy consumption. The result is a dramatic increase in the number of impaired drivers on the roads late into the night.
Alcohol is not the only danger. Drowsy driving is another factor, as people travel long distances to reach family gatherings. Fatigue slows reaction times and makes drivers less attentive, creating risks similar to alcohol impairment. Heavy traffic further complicates the situation. Highways across Ohio and Michigan are crowded with holiday travelers, making it harder to avoid collisions when mistakes occur. Speeding, distractions, and aggressive driving also rise as drivers grow impatient in the heavy holiday congestion.
The combination of impaired drivers, tired travelers, and congested roads is a recipe for tragedy. For this reason, local police departments typically increase patrols and sobriety checkpoints on Thanksgiving Eve, aiming to deter reckless behavior. Despite these efforts, accidents continue to occur at alarming rates.
Alcohol, Drunk Driving, and Blackout Wednesday
The consequences of impaired driving extend far beyond the person making the reckless choice to get behind the wheel. Innocent drivers, passengers, and pedestrians often suffer the most serious injuries. Victims of drunk driving crashes frequently face broken bones, traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord damage, or wrongful death. Families are left to deal with medical bills, lost wages, and emotional trauma caused by someone else’s negligence.
Ohio and Michigan laws are clear: driving under the influence is illegal, and those who cause accidents while impaired can face both criminal charges and civil liability. For victims, understanding this distinction is critical. While criminal charges may punish the offender, only a civil personal injury claim allows victims and their families to recover compensation for their losses.
Designated Drivers and Ride-Sharing Services
The simplest way to reduce the dangers of Thanksgiving Eve accidents is to plan ahead. Designating a sober driver or using ride-sharing services like Uber or Lyft significantly lowers the risk of impaired driving crashes. Unfortunately, many people still believe they are “okay to drive” after drinking, underestimating how alcohol affects their coordination and reaction times.
Hosts can play a major role in preventing drunk driving accidents. Providing non-alcoholic beverage options, arranging transportation for guests, or encouraging ride-sharing can all make a difference. Communities across Ohio and Michigan also offer programs to help reduce impaired driving, such as free or discounted rides on major holidays. Exercising moderation and avoiding excessive drinking is equally important. By making responsible choices, individuals can celebrate Thanksgiving Eve without putting others in danger.
Safe Driving Habits for Thanksgiving Eve
Even for drivers who do not consume alcohol, Thanksgiving Eve presents challenges. Heavy traffic, unpredictable behavior from other drivers, and long travel distances increase the likelihood of collisions. Practicing safe driving habits is essential.
Seatbelts save lives, yet many fatal crashes on Thanksgiving Eve involve unbelted passengers. Staying focused and minimizing distractions such as texting or eating while driving reduces the risk of missing sudden hazards on the road. Adhering strictly to traffic laws is critical, particularly when other drivers may be impaired.
For those traveling long distances to spend the holiday with family, fatigue is a serious concern. Taking regular breaks, sharing driving responsibilities, and getting adequate rest before long trips can prevent drowsy driving accidents. Awareness and vigilance make a significant difference in keeping yourself and others safe during one of the busiest travel nights of the year.
Holiday Season Accident Risks Beyond Thanksgiving Eve
Thanksgiving Eve may be the most dangerous night of the year, but the entire holiday season carries elevated accident risks. From Thanksgiving through New Year’s Day, drunk driving crashes, distracted driving accidents, and drowsy driving collisions all rise significantly. Emergency rooms report some of their highest patient volumes of the year during this period, and law enforcement agencies consistently emphasize the need for extra caution.
For families in Ohio and Michigan, the stakes are particularly high. Winter weather adds another layer of danger, with snow, ice, and reduced visibility making safe driving more difficult. The combination of seasonal celebrations, long-distance travel, and winter road conditions creates unique challenges that require extra care.
Increased Dangers and Precautions on Blackout Wednesday
As Thanksgiving approaches, it is easy to focus solely on the excitement of family gatherings and holiday traditions. But it is important to recognize the potential dangers of Thanksgiving Eve, also known as Blackout Wednesday. With alcohol consumption at its peak and roadways more congested than usual, the risk of accidents is higher than at almost any other time of year.
Taking precautions can make a meaningful difference. Choosing a designated driver, using ride-sharing services, drinking responsibly, and driving with heightened awareness are all practical steps that reduce risk. Responsible hosts also play a critical role in ensuring guests have safe ways to get home. Everyone has a part to play in preventing tragedies and ensuring that Thanksgiving remains a time of gratitude and joy rather than loss.
Legal Options After a Thanksgiving Eve Accident
Despite precautions, accidents on Thanksgiving Eve remain a harsh reality. Victims and their families should know that they have legal rights when someone else’s negligence causes harm. If you are injured in a Thanksgiving Eve accident, you may be entitled to recover compensation for medical expenses, lost wages, property damage, and pain and suffering. In cases of wrongful death, surviving family members may pursue claims for their loss.
Drunk driving accidents are particularly devastating, but they also create strong grounds for civil liability. Establishments that overserve visibly intoxicated patrons may also face responsibility under Ohio and Michigan’s dram shop laws. An experienced personal injury lawyer can investigate the circumstances, identify all responsible parties, and build a case for full compensation.
Why Choose Gallon, Takacs & Boissoneault
For more than seventy years, Gallon, Takacs & Boissoneault has represented families across Northwest Ohio, Southeast Michigan, and Northeast Indiana. Our attorneys live here, raise families here, and drive on the same roads where these holiday accidents occur. We understand the local courts, the state laws, and the devastating toll accidents take on families.
When you choose our firm, you will work with one attorney who knows your case from start to finish, supported by a dedicated paralegal who stands by your side. We provide personalized attention backed by decades of experience and a proven record of results.
Our firm works on a contingency fee basis, which means you pay no upfront costs. We only collect a fee if we successfully recover compensation for you. That way, you can focus on healing and moving forward while we fight for your rights.
Take Action After a Thanksgiving Eve Accident
No one expects their holiday to be interrupted by tragedy, yet Thanksgiving Eve accidents remain a growing concern across Ohio and Michigan. Drunk, distracted, and reckless drivers put families at risk, and the consequences can be life-changing. Criminal penalties may punish the offender, but only civil action can provide the compensation victims need to cover medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering.
At Gallon, Takacs & Boissoneault, we have stood with injured victims for more than seventy years. Our experienced personal injury lawyers know how to hold negligent drivers — and in some cases, bars or restaurants — accountable under state law. We work on a contingency fee basis, meaning you pay nothing unless we win for you.
Call 419-843-6663 today or use our convenient online contact form. With offices in Toledo, Defiance, Fremont, Findlay, Lima, Mansfield, Maumee, Sandusky, and Monroe, Michigan, we are ready to fight for the justice your family deserves.
Frequently Asked Questions About Thanksgiving Eve Accidents
Why is Thanksgiving Eve called Blackout Wednesday?
Thanksgiving Eve has earned the nickname “Blackout Wednesday” because of the dramatic increase in alcohol consumption the night before the holiday. Many people return home to visit friends and gather at bars, making it one of the busiest drinking nights of the year. Unfortunately, this tradition has led to a spike in drunk driving crashes, making it one of the deadliest nights on the road.
Are Thanksgiving Eve accidents common in Ohio and Michigan?
Yes. Law enforcement agencies in Ohio and Michigan consistently report an increase in crashes on Thanksgiving Eve. Alcohol-impaired driving, drowsy driving, and speeding all contribute to these accidents. With thousands of travelers on the roads and crowded bars in cities like Toledo, Defiance, and Monroe, the risks are significantly higher than on an average night.
What injuries are most common in Thanksgiving Eve car accidents?
Victims of Thanksgiving Eve accidents often suffer serious injuries such as broken bones, concussions, traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord damage, and internal injuries. In the worst cases, crashes may result in wrongful death. The combination of impaired drivers, fatigue, and heavy traffic often leads to high-speed or head-on collisions, which cause more severe outcomes.
What should I do if I’m in a Thanksgiving Eve accident?
If you are injured in a Thanksgiving Eve accident, the first step is to ensure your safety and seek medical attention. Report the crash to law enforcement, gather as much documentation as possible, and contact a personal injury lawyer as soon as you can. A lawyer can guide you through the process of filing a claim, investigating liability, and pursuing compensation for your injuries.
How can Gallon, Takacs & Boissoneault help?
Our attorneys have represented victims of drunk driving and holiday accidents across Northwest Ohio, Southeast Michigan, and Northeast Indiana for more than seventy years. We understand the unique risks of Thanksgiving Eve and the devastation these crashes cause families. We investigate thoroughly, build strong legal claims, and fight for full compensation. With nine office locations and a contingency fee model, we are accessible, experienced, and ready to stand with you.
Kevin Boissoneault, is the President and Managing Partner of GT&B. He began his career at GT&B in 1992 and has built the Personal Injury section into one of the strongest and most successful firms in the region. His hard work and dedication as a compelling trial attorney and litigator has won many verdicts and settlements for his clients and their families. Kevin’s commitment to protecting those who have been injured through accident or negligence has brought justice for thousands of clients.
