What safety hazards beset the Fourth of July weekend

Those in South Carolina who plan to travel during the Fourth of July holiday period will want to be more safety-conscious than usual. According to Esurance and the Insurance Institute of Highway Safety, July 4 sees the highest number of fatal car crashes of all the days in the year. Every year between June 30 and July 4, there are approximately 200 traffic deaths across America. About 40 percent of all highway deaths between 2007 and 2011 occurred during the same five-day period.

Drunk driving was the reason behind those highway deaths. It stands to reason that alcohol intoxication becomes a special problem during the holiday period, but it's not the sole factor. AAA estimates that between June 30 and July 4, 37.5 million Americans this year will be traveling 50 miles or more from their home. With more people on the road perhaps traveling unfamiliar routes, the risk for accidents only rises.

Fireworks are another issue. Mishandling them can lead to burn injuries, especially to the hand and the fingers according to a U.S. Consumer Safety Product Commission report. Malfunctioning fireworks could also injure the head, face and ears.

Another hazard is foodborne illness spread by the consumption of undercooked meat. Swimming accidents are all too common on Independence Day, making it important to monitor children and other inexperienced swimmers.

Of all the possible accidents mentioned above, car accidents are the ones that most frequently lead to injury claims. Victims will need to show how the other party was negligent, which is why many victims hire a lawyer before filing. The lawyer may be able to utilize a network of professionals to review the accident and gather proof. The lawyer may then bring this proof to the negotiation table with the auto insurance company, litigating if a fair settlement cannot be reached.