The holiday season brings joy, celebration, and family gatherings across the Carolinas. But it also increases the risk of accidents and injuries. From busy shopping centers to crowded highways and festive parties, November through January sees a significant spike in personal injury claims.
Remember, South Carolina and North Carolina laws protect injured victims, but acting quickly is key. If you’ve been hurt due to someone else’s negligence, a free consultation can clarify your options.
Why Holiday Travel Is More Dangerous
During the holidays, South Carolina sees more people on the road, often in a rush or unfamiliar with their surroundings. This makes crashes more likely. The National Safety Council reports that motor vehicle fatalities spike during holiday periods like Christmas and New Year’s due to impaired driving, distracted driving, and poor weather conditions.
Here are the most common types of holiday injury claims :
1. Motor Vehicle Accidents
Holiday weekends mean packed highways, from Raleigh to Charleston. The National Safety Council (NSC) estimates 439 motor vehicle deaths will occur nationwide over Thanksgiving 2025 (down 12% from 2024’s 502) and that there will be 50,100 non-fatal injuries. In South Carolina, SCDPS data shows 78 Christmas Day fatalities from 2013 to 2022, rising on New Year’s Eve. North Carolina mirrors this, with heavier traffic and spikes in impaired driving.
Common causes of holiday car accidents include:
- Drunk driving: Holiday parties lead to more DUI arrests and fatal crashes, and 40% of seasonal deaths involve alcohol (NHTSA).
- Distracted driving: Shoppers juggling GPS, texts about gifts, or kids in the back seat.
- Fatigued driving: Late-night drives or long hauls to family gatherings.
- Speeding: Rushing for last-minute events or to beat traffic.
- Winter weather: Rain, ice, or fog turns SC/NC roads slick, especially in the Upstate or mountains.
In South Carolina, you may recover compensation if you prove the other driver was negligent (breach of duty causing harm) under modified comparative negligence, as long as you’re 50% or less at fault — your award reduces by your share.
In North Carolina, the state follows pure contributory negligence, meaning even 1% fault on your part bars recovery entirely; the defendant must prove it.
2. Slip and Fall Accidents
Slip and fall accidents spike during the holidays due to:
- Wet floors in crowded retail stores from rain, snow, or melted ice tracked inside.
- Icy parking lots and sidewalks outside shopping centers.
- Cluttered aisles with holiday merchandise displays.
- Poor lighting in parking lots during shorter winter days.
- Decorations creating tripping hazards (extension cords, lights, inflatables).
- Restaurant and venue spills from increased holiday dining traffic.
Property owners in South Carolina have a duty to maintain safe premises under common law premises liability. Private property owners owe invitees (customers) a duty of reasonable care, which includes inspecting for hazards, warning of known dangers, and making the premises safe when possible. If you’re injured on someone else’s property because of their negligence, you may have a valid claim.
3. Delivery Driver Accidents
Online holiday shopping drives a massive surge in delivery vehicles crowding residential streets. According to statistics, during the holidays, about 36% more vehicles are on the road. Amazon, FedEx, UPS, and USPS drivers often work grueling hours under tight deadlines to handle the rush.
Common delivery driver accidents include backing into parked cars or pedestrians, distracted driving while checking GPS or delivery routes, fatigued driving from extended shifts, speeding through neighborhoods to meet quotas, and failure to secure packages, causing tripping hazards.
4. Holiday Shopping Accidents
The holiday shopping rush can be hazardous. Crowded stores during Black Friday, Small Business Saturday, and Christmas shopping create conditions ripe for trampling injuries, falling merchandise, shopping cart collisions, parking lot accidents, and store security incidents.
If retailers fail to maintain safe shopping environments and their negligence causes injury, they may be liable.
5. Defective Product Injuries
Holiday gifts can sometimes lead to serious injuries, such as defective toys causing choking or injury to children, malfunctioning electronics causing fires or burns, and defective decorations causing electrical injuries.
In South Carolina and North Carolina, product liability claims allow you to seek compensation from manufacturers, distributors, or retailers when defective products cause harm, without needing to prove negligence.
What to Do If You’re Injured During the Holidays
If you suffer an injury during the holiday season, it’s important to take immediate steps to protect your health and your rights:
- Seek immediate medical attention – Don’t delay treatment.
- Document everything – Take photos of the scene, your injuries, and any hazards.
- Report the incident – Notify property owners, employers, or authorities.
- Preserve evidence – Keep receipts, medical records, and witness contact information.
- Avoid posting on social media – Insurance companies monitor accounts.
- Contact a personal injury attorney before accepting settlements – Holiday claims are often rushed, leading to inadequate compensation.
Protect Your Rights This Holiday Season – Get Legal Help Today
The holidays should be a time for celebration, not dealing with injuries and insurance companies. If you or a loved one has been injured during the holiday season, Stewart Law Offices, a trusted personal injury lawyer, is here to help.
We understand that the holidays are a busy and expensive time. That’s why we offer free consultations and work on a contingency fee basis; you don’t pay unless we win your case.
Don’t wait until after the holidays to protect your rights. Call 866-STEWART today for your free consultation.
