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Holiday travel across Westchester County and New York City brings excitement, family gatherings, and a seasonal surge in traffic. Unfortunately, it also brings a sharp increase in serious car accidents on highways like I-87, the Bronx River Parkway, I-287, the Major Deegan, the Cross Bronx Expressway, and the crowded streets of Manhattan, Queens, the Bronx, and Brooklyn.
Millions of New Yorkers hit the road for holiday celebrations — often rushing, fatigued, or driving in poor weather — creating some of the most dangerous conditions of the year.
As a car accident lawyer with 35+ years of trial experience, Norman Gershon has seen firsthand how devastating holiday-related crashes can be. He is the attorney other lawyers call when they need a tough case tried — and his verdict history makes it clear why. If you or someone you love is injured during holiday travel, understanding the risks is the first step to protecting your rights.
The Five Most Dangerous Holidays for Drivers
1. Independence Day
The Fourth of July consistently ranks as the deadliest driving holiday in the United States. Late-night fireworks, summer parties, and heavy alcohol use all contribute to crashes — especially on parkways like the Hutchinson River Parkway, Saw Mill, and Henry Hudson, where speeding and limited visibility are common.
Alcohol-related accidents spike dramatically, and emergency rooms routinely see a surge in trauma cases well into the early morning hours.
2. Thanksgiving Weekend
Thanksgiving week brings some of the heaviest traffic of the year on routes like I-95, the Merritt, I-684, and the congested bridges connecting Westchester to NYC.
Drivers often travel long distances, battle fatigue, and deal with sudden weather changes — including slick leaves, rain, and early-season snow.
The Wednesday before Thanksgiving is one of the most dangerous travel days nationwide. People rush to make flights, beat traffic, or get home from work, leading to aggressive driving, distracted behaviors, and preventable collisions.
3. New Year’s Day
The hours just after midnight on New Year’s Day are among the most hazardous times to be on the road anywhere — and New York is no exception. From Times Square crowds to bar closings in White Plains, Yonkers, Astoria, and the Bronx, thousands of impaired or overtired drivers flood the streets.
Nearly half of all New Year’s traffic fatalities involve alcohol. Planning a sober ride is essential — and for many injured victims, liability becomes complex. That’s where experienced legal representation matters most.
4. Christmas Eve & Christmas Day
Although Christmas sees fewer fatalities overall, the crashes that do occur often involve:
- Distracted driving
- Rushed last-minute errands
- Slick winter conditions
- Overloaded shopping traffic on major roadways and mall areas (White Plains, Yonkers, Queens Center, Kings Plaza)
Accidents often happen in parking lots, near retail centers, and at intersections where impatient drivers make quick or unsafe turns.
5. Labor Day Weekend
The unofficial end of summer leads to crowded highways, beach traffic, impatient driving, and one of the highest rates of drunk-driving crashes of the year.
Highways such as the Long Island Expressway, Grand Central Parkway, and Taconic Parkway see dramatic increases in accidents involving speeding and alcohol. Labor Day’s combination of long weekends, barbecues, sun fatigue, and late-night travel creates a perfect storm of danger.
Why Holiday Accidents Are Different — and More Legally Complex
Holiday-related crashes often involve:
- Multiple drivers
- Multi-vehicle pileups
- Out-of-state travelers
- Commercial trucks
- Alcohol-related liability
- Weather hazards (black ice, heavy rain, winter storms)
These factors make determining fault substantially more complicated. Insurance companies aggressively attempt to push blame onto injured victims — especially in New York, where no-fault insurance rules can confuse people already overwhelmed after an accident.
That’s why working with an experienced trial lawyer is crucial.
Norman Gershon has recovered tens of millions of dollars for accident victims, including landmark verdicts for motor-vehicle injuries:
- $16,500,000 verdict – NYCTA bus collision, vertebral fractures (Bronx Supreme)
- $14,500,000 settlement – MTA bus crash with catastrophic injuries (Queens Supreme)
- $7,500,000 verdict – NYC Transit Authority accident (Bronx Supreme)
- $5,445,000 verdict – Motor vehicle crash with cervical/lumbar fusions (Kings Supreme)
- $5,068,000 verdict – Sideswipe crash with fusion surgery (Queens Supreme)
- $2,500,000 verdict – Westchester County motor-vehicle crash, cervical fusions (Westchester Supreme)
These results demonstrate what happens when an attorney understands both the law and the courtroom — and isn’t afraid to take a case to trial when insurers refuse to be fair.
Holiday Travel Safety Tips for New York Drivers
Whether you’re driving through Westchester, crossing into NYC, or heading out of state, following these safety steps can significantly reduce your risk:
1. Plan Ahead
Know your route. Expect delays on I-87, the Hutch, Cross County Parkway, and other major corridors. Heavy traffic means higher accident probability.
2. Rest Before Driving
Fatigue on holidays is one of the biggest risks — especially on late-night returns from Manhattan, Queens, or Bronx family events.
3. Reduce Distractions
Put the phone away. Navigation, music, and messaging all take your focus off the road.
4. Buckle Up Every Time
Seatbelts save lives. New York winter crashes can be violent due to slick roads, black ice, and reduced visibility.
5. Never Drink and Drive
Designate a sober driver or use rideshare. Some of NYC’s worst holiday tragedies involve impaired driving.
6. Prepare Your Vehicle
Check your tires, wipers, fluids, and emergency supplies — especially before long-distance holiday trips.
If You’ve Been Injured in a Holiday Car Accident, You’re Not Alone — And You Have Legal Options
Holiday crashes can derail your health, finances, and family plans. But with the right legal help, you can protect your future.
Clients consistently describe Norman Gershon as:
“Smart, experienced, compassionate… the best result with a wrinkle-free process.” — Michael Benowich
“A bigger settlement than I expected… kind, caring, and relentless.” — Nancy Joyce
“A beast in the courtroom — one of the most honest and trustworthy men I’ve ever met.” — R. Dessasore
These testimonials reflect what sets Norman apart:
Clear communication, deep compassion, and unmatched trial skill.
If you were injured during holiday travel — whether in Westchester County, the Bronx, Manhattan, Queens, Brooklyn, or anywhere in the NYC metro — Norman has the experience, resources, and courtroom strength to fight for the compensation you deserve.
The Law Offices of Norman Gershon: The Car Accident Lawyer New Yorkers Trust
With 35+ years of trial experience, Norman has built a reputation as the attorney other lawyers call when they need a complex case tried — because he prepares every case as though it’s going to verdict.
From catastrophic highway collisions to drunk-driving crashes to multi-vehicle holiday pileups, Norman has handled it all — and won.
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