Thanksgiving weekend is one of the busiest travel periods in the United States. Millions of Texans hit the road to visit family, attend gatherings, or start holiday shopping. But with the surge in traffic comes a surge in car accidents. Year after year, Thanksgiving consistently ranks among the most dangerous travel weekends, with increased congestion, alcohol-related crashes, and fatigued drivers creating conditions ripe for serious wrecks.
For families traveling this season, understanding why these crashes happen and how liability works in holiday-related accidents can make a meaningful difference, especially if someone is injured due to another party’s negligence.
Why Accidents Spike During Thanksgiving
Every Thanksgiving, Texas highways see a significant uptick in vehicle miles traveled and, unfortunately, in crashes. The Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) and national highway data highlight a few key factors that make this period uniquely dangerous:
- Heavier Traffic Volumes: Thanksgiving is one of the most traveled weekends of the year. Highways and rural roads alike become congested with long-distance travelers, leading to more bottlenecks, sudden stops, and rear-end collisions.
- Alcohol-Impaired Driving: Thanksgiving Eve (sometimes called “Blackout Wednesday”) is known nationally for increased drunk driving. Combined with post-dinner celebrations and holiday parties, impaired driving spikes throughout the weekend.
- Fatigue and Long-Distance Driving: Many families drive hundreds of miles, often late at night or early in the morning to beat traffic. Drowsy driving can impair reaction times and decision-making as much as alcohol.
- Unfamiliar Routes: Drivers traveling to unfamiliar towns or rural areas may be more prone to navigation errors, sudden lane changes, or missing signs and exits.
- Weather Conditions: In many parts of Texas, November can bring heavy rain, fog, or colder temperatures that affect road traction and visibility.
The combination of these factors results in a dangerous mix: more vehicles, more impaired and tired drivers, and more opportunities for negligence to cause harm.
Common Causes of Holiday Crashes
While any type of crash can happen during the holidays, certain patterns appear repeatedly on Texas roads this time of year. Understanding these scenarios can shed light on where negligence most often occurs.
- Distracted Driving. GPS adjustments, texting family members about arrival times, scrolling playlists—these distractions happen constantly during holiday travel. Even a momentary lapse can lead to catastrophic rear-end or lane-departure crashes, especially in congested traffic.
- Speeding and Aggressive Driving. Drivers rushing to make it to dinner, beat traffic, or return home before work often speed or weave through traffic. Aggressive driving in heavy holiday congestion significantly increases the risk of multi-vehicle collisions.
- Alcohol- and Drug-Impaired Driving. Thanksgiving weekend has one of the highest rates of DUI arrests and alcohol-related fatalities nationwide. In Texas, impaired drivers can be held civilly and criminally liable when their actions cause injuries or deaths.
- Fatigue-Related Accidents. Drowsy driving is particularly common during early morning departures or late-night returns. Fatigue slows reaction times, impairs judgment, and can lead to devastating head-on collisions if a driver drifts across lanes.
- Commercial Vehicle and Delivery Truck Collisions. Thanksgiving kicks off peak season for shipping and deliveries. Increased numbers of semi-trucks and delivery vans on the road can lead to serious accidents, especially if drivers are fatigued, inadequately trained, or pressured to meet tight schedules.
- Poor Vehicle Maintenance. Bald tires, broken lights, or worn brakes can be especially hazardous on long trips. Neglecting maintenance before a long drive can lead to liability if a mechanical failure contributes to a crash.
Liability and Legal Considerations After a Holiday Crash
When a Thanksgiving weekend crash occurs, determining who is legally responsible is critical. Texas follows a modified comparative fault rule: if you’re less than 51% at fault, you can still recover damages, though your percentage of fault reduces your recovery.
Here are some of the key parties who may bear liability in a holiday crash:
- Negligent Drivers. The most common claims involve other drivers who were distracted, speeding, intoxicated, or otherwise negligent. Victims can pursue personal injury or wrongful death claims to recover damages for medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, and more.
- Commercial Drivers and Trucking Companies. If a commercial truck or delivery vehicle caused the crash, both the driver and their employer may be liable. Trucking companies have a legal duty to vet drivers, follow safety regulations, and avoid unrealistic delivery schedules that encourage unsafe driving.
- Hosts or Establishments That Overserve. In certain DUI-related crashes, Texas dram shop laws may allow claims against bars, restaurants, or even party hosts that overserved an obviously intoxicated person who later caused a wreck.
- Government Entities or Contractors. If poor road conditions, like inadequate signage, construction zone hazards, or malfunctioning traffic signals, played a role, liability could extend to government entities or contractors. These claims are more complex due to sovereign immunity rules and strict procedural deadlines.
- Vehicle Manufacturers or Maintenance Providers. In rare but significant cases, a defective part (such as a faulty tire or brake component) or negligent maintenance may result in claims against manufacturers, retailers, or repair shops.
Because holiday crashes often involve multiple vehicles and various contributing factors, determining liability can require a thorough investigation into traffic patterns, driver behavior, vehicle condition, and other relevant factors. Acting quickly to preserve evidence, such as dashcam footage, cell phone records, or accident reconstruction data, can be crucial.
Preventive Measures for Safer Thanksgiving Travel
While no amount of caution can control other drivers, travelers can reduce their own risk through a few key steps:
- Plan ahead to avoid peak congestion periods whenever possible.
- Get adequate rest before long drives and swap drivers on lengthy trips.
- Check your vehicle before hitting the road, especially tires, brakes, and lights.
- Never drive under the influence and arrange for alternative transportation if needed.
- Stay alert for aggressive or erratic drivers and keep a safe distance.
- Use navigation apps proactively to anticipate traffic slowdowns and avoid last-minute lane changes.
Even with precautions, accidents still happen, often because another driver chose not to take the same care.
Injured in a Holiday Crash? Hilliard Law Can Help.
A holiday road trip can change in an instant when another driver is careless. If you or someone you love was injured in a Thanksgiving weekend accident, you may be entitled to compensation for your injuries and losses. These cases often involve multiple parties, complex liability issues, and insurance companies eager to minimize payouts—making experienced legal representation essential.
At Hilliard Law, our Texas trial attorneys have decades of experience litigating complex auto accident claims and holding negligent drivers accountable. We’re here to help families get answers, pursue justice, and rebuild after serious collisions.
Call (866) 927-3420 or contact us online for a FREE consultation.