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Top 10 Ways to Travel Safely This Summer

Our West Virginia injury lawyers list the top 10 ways to stay safe while traveling this summer.

As we approach summer and school vacations, it is important for families in Charleston and throughout West Virginia to think carefully about ways to prevent accidents and injuries while they are traveling.

Whether you are headed to a whitewater rafting site, going to the coast for a beach vacation or simply driving to the airport to catch a plane to a faraway destination, it is important to keep in mind summer travel safety tips. By following these tips, you can avoid injuries while on vacation.

Use Common Sense When Driving

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[su_column size="1/5"]Car accidents tend to increase during the summer months in West Virginia as well as in other parts of the country.[/su_column]
[su_column size="4/5"]Car accidents tend to increase during the summer months in West Virginia as well as in other parts of the country.[/su_column]
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Many factors contribute to this spike, including:
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  • A greater number of vehicles on the road
  • A higher number of drunk drivers
  • An increase in highway construction projects
  • Flash rainstorms that can make roads slick and quickly reduce visibility
  • Heat taking its toll on tires, leading to an increase in tire blowout crashes.

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If you are planning to drive on your summer vacation, use common sense by:

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  • Never speeding
  • Getting off the road if you feel drowsy
  • Staying off your cell phone while driving
  • Never combining drinking with driving.

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While you cannot control what other drivers do, you can at least reduce your chances of getting into accident by following those tips.

Stay Safe While You Are Away From Home

[su_row]
[su_column size="1/4"]Another way to enjoy safe travel is to take steps to avoid being targeted for crimes.[/su_column]
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Another way to enjoy safe travel is to take steps to avoid being targeted for crimes.[/su_column]
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Based on tips from LoveToKnow.com and Tyco.com, you should:

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[su_column size="1/6"]Make copies of important documents[/su_column]
[su_column size="5/6"]Make copies of important documents.
Before you head out on your trip, you should make copies of all identification information, including your insurance cards and your credit cards. You should make two copies of each item, taking one set with you and leaving the other set at home so it can be accessed by a friend or family member. If your wallet is stolen, you will not have ready access to your credit card numbers, your passport information or your insurance plan information. So, if you plan ahead and make copies, running into a pickpocket will not necessarily ruin your vacation.[/su_column]
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[su_column size="1/6"]Do not take more cash than you need.[/su_column]
[su_column size="5/6"]Do not take more cash than you need.
When possible, you should plan to use your credit cards while you are on vacation and bring only as much cash with you as you will need for the day. Banks can quickly cancel a credit card if your purse or wallet is stolen. However, if you are carrying cash on you at the time of a theft, you will lose it all.[/su_column]
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[su_column size="1/6"]Do not display valuables.[/su_column]
[su_column size="5/6"]Do not display valuables.
Although you might want to wear expensive jewelry or keep a valuable camera around your neck while you are on vacation, it is important to avoid displaying items that could turn you into a target for a robbery or a mugging.[/su_column]
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[su_column size="1/6"]Keep your doors locked. [/su_column]
[su_column size="5/6"]Keep your doors locked.
Whether you are inside your hotel room or parking your car, it is important to lock your doors. You should never leave your keys anywhere where they can be taken by a passerby.[/su_column]
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[su_column size="1/6"]Walk and park your vehicle in a well-lit area.[/su_column]
[su_column size="5/6"]Walk and park your vehicle in a well-lit area.
You are less likely to become the victim of a crime if you stay in areas where you are visible to other people in the area. Dark parking spots or poorly lit streets can be locations which are ripe for a robbery, which can in turn lead to serious personal injuries.[/su_column]
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Keep Your Family Healthy During Your Trip

Finally, while on vacation, you should focus on keeping yourself and those you love healthy. According to Prevention Magazine, you should:

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[su_column size="1/6"]Pack a first-aid kit.[/su_column]
[su_column size="5/6"]Pack a first-aid kit.
Be prepared for any accidents and injuries that might happen on the trip by packing bandages, medications and other first-aid items. Children, in particular, can get hurt without warning and may suffer injuries that require immediate attention.[/su_column]
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[su_column size="1/6"]Ensure that your health insurance is up-to-date and that it covers your location.[/su_column]
[su_column size="5/6"]Ensure that your health insurance is up-to-date and that it covers your location.
If you are traveling abroad, it is important to ensure that your medical insurance will cover you in the event that you need hospital or emergency department care. Suffering a broken bone or even a routine illness that requires a prescription medication can be very expensive outside the U.S. If your regular health insurance plan does not cover you abroad, you should purchase additional insurance.[/su_column]
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[su_column size="1/6"]Bring antibacterial wipes or hand gel with you on the airplane.[/su_column]
[su_column size="5/6"]Bring antibacterial wipes or hand gel with you on the airplane.
Frequent travelers know that airplanes contain a lot of germs. Indeed, according to Prevention, around 60 percent of airplane food trays have been shown to carry MRSA (methicillin-resistant staphylococcus aureus) bacteria. We fully recommend wiping down those food trays with an antibacterial wipe before using them.[/su_column]
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[su_column size="1/6"]Get up and walk around on a long flight.[/su_column]
[su_column size="5/6"]Get up and walk around on a long flight.
Even healthy people who exercise regularly can develop life-threatening pulmonary embolisms after sitting in a very cramped place (like an airplane seat) for an extended period of time. In addition to walking around, you should also "periodically raise and lower your heels while seated," according to the article. If you feel pain in your calf after you land, you should seek immediate medical attention.[/su_column]
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[su_column size="1/6"]Wear sunscreen.[/su_column]
[su_column size="5/6"]Wear sunscreen.
It might sound obvious, but if you are going to be out in the sun during your vacation - regardless of whether you are at the beach or walking through an urban area - you should ensure that you and your family members are protected from the harmful rays of the sun.[/su_column]
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Injured on Vacation? Contact Our Charleston Personal Injury Lawyers

To keep your family safe and healthy this summer, it is important to be aware of vacation safety tips. If an accident and injury does impact your travel, you should discuss your situation with an experienced Charleston Personal Injury Attorney. If your illness or injury resulted from another party's negligence or other wrongful conduct, you may be able to file a personal injury claim for financial compensation. Contact Mani Ellis & Layne PLLC today for more information about how we can assist you.

Category: Car Accidents

Charleston, WV

Mani Ellis & Layne, PLLC
10 Hale St Suite 501
Charleston, WV 25301
Phone: (304) 720-1000

Columbus, OH

Mani Ellis & Layne, PLLC
20 E Broad St Suite 1000
Columbus, OH 43215
Phone: (614) 587-8423