What Are the Most Common St. Patrick’s Day Accidents?

St. Patrick’s Day is right around the corner, marking a favorite holiday for many. With more than 33 million Americans claiming Irish descent, it is no wonder St. Patrick’s Day is such a beloved holiday in the United States. Not only has St. Patrick’s Day (or St. Patty’s Day) become one of the nation’s most popular holidays, but unfortunately, it is also one of the most dangerous. This mid-March holiday is often celebrated with green beer, parades, corned beef and cabbage, and a long day of barhopping. Sadly, many people make the unfortunate decision to get behind the wheel of a car after partaking in the festivities. This is just one reason why St. Patrick’s Day has become one of the deadliest holidays. DUI arrests typically spike over the holiday, and drunk driving accidents take place at an alarming rate.

But drinking-related accidents aren’t the only potential dangers to watch for over St. Patrick’s Day. To keep you safe and accident-free, today we would like to look at some of the most common St. Patrick’s Day accidents. Although the adored holiday falls on a Tuesday this year, many people will take to the bars and streets to celebrate the weekend prior. This is why it is so important for you to stay aware and take proper steps to protect yourself and your loved one. If you are involved in a St. Patrick’s Day accident in Brownsville this year, please do not hesitate to contact The Green Law Firm. Our bilingual personal injury lawyers understand how stressful these types of accidents can be and will do everything we can to defend your rights.

St. Patrick’s Day by the Numbers

According to WalletHub, St. Patrick’s Day is the third-biggest drinking holiday in the U.S. With this in mind, it should come as no surprise that many of the accidents that occur in the middle of March have something to do with alcohol consumption. Before we look at what types of accidents are common on St. Patrick’s Day, let’s go over the numbers to help paint a better picture of why this holiday is so dangerous:

57 percent of Americans plan on celebrating St. Patrick’s Day this year (2020)
Patrick’s Day is the biggest beer-drinking holiday
The average St. Patrick’s Day partygoer consumes 4.2 beers
32 percent of men admit to binge drinking on St. Patrick’s Day
More than 13 million pints of Guinness are sold and consumed worldwide on St. Patrick’s Day
Beer sales increase by 174 percent on St. Patrick’s Day
In 2018, 73 people were killed in drunk driving accidents over St. Patrick’s Day
Every 30 minutes someone dies in an alcohol-related car accident over the holiday
62 percent of deadly St. Patrick’s Day involve a drunk driver
A shocking 33 percent of pedestrians who died on St. Patrick’s Day had a blood alcohol level over .08
69 percent of St. Patrick’s Day crash fatalities take place between midnight, and 6 am
Between 2012 and 2016, there were 269 fatalities over the St. Patrick’s Day holiday

The first St. Patrick’s Day parade was held in Boston in 1737, not Ireland. This is perhaps the most telling fact when it comes to the Irish holiday’s popularity here in America. The above stats shed some light on why St. Patrick’s Day ends up being so dangerous and deadly.

Common St. Patrick’s Day Accidents

You can probably guess that the most common accident on St. Patrick’s Day are car accidents, but what else can happen? Here’s a look at some of the other types of accidents that take place over the Irish holiday:

Car accidents caused by drunk drivers
Pedestrian fatalities involving drunk drivers
Over-consumption accidents and injuries
Physical altercations
Domestic violence

What injuries are common following a St. Patrick’s Day accident?

Broken bones
Lacerations, bruises, cuts, and other injuries associated with physical altercations
Whiplash
Chest or torso injuries
Loss of limb
Traumatic brain injuries (TBI)

Because St. Patrick’s Day is such a big drinking holiday, the majority of accidents are related to alcohol. Responsible drinking is the first step to preventing these types of accidents. Call a rideshare service like Uber or Lyft, designate a sober driver, or stay at a friend’s house if attending a party. Whatever you do, NEVER get behind the wheel of a car after drinking — on St. Patrick’s Day or any day of the year. Continue reading for some of the best ways to stay safe and prevent a St. Patrick’s Day tragedy this year.

St. Patrick’s Day Safety Tips

To prevent an accident this St. Patrick’s Day, keep the following tips in mind:

Designate a sober driver if barhopping or attending any St. Patrick’s Day parties and festivities
Plan ahead
Have an alternate plan in place, in the event your sober driver decides to drink
Leave all valuables at home
Stay hydrated and remember to eat
Never drink on an empty stomach
Never leave drinks unattended
Stay with your friends or in a group
Sober drivers: Drive slow, wear your seatbelt, keep an eye out for pedestrians and drunk drivers on the road, and stay off the streets after midnight, if possible
If you host a party, offer non-alcoholic beverages or mocktails
Encourage people to stay the night or make other arrangements before the party
Buckle up

Despite your best efforts, there’s still a chance you will be involved in some St. Patrick’s Day accident. If you or a loved one is injured in a car accident or another accident over the upcoming holiday, contact The Green Law Firm today. Our bilingual Laredo attorneys understand how devastating these types of incidents can be and will do everything we can to protect your rights. To learn more about your options and what the next steps are following a St. Patrick’s Day accident, give us a call. We offer free consultations and are prepared to take on your case today.