Valentine’s Day and Unromantic Injury Accidents

Valentine’s Day is supposed to be romantic and a time for partners or spouses to celebrate. There may be a lot of stress to make it a special night or snag a hard-to-get reservation at a nice restaurant but it is just as important for the couple to stay safe on a Valentine’s Day night out (or night in). Unfortunately, trying to make it a special event can backfire, leading to serious injury. 

Too Much Champagne and Too Many Cocktails

Many people like to start out their night with some festive cocktails or a nice bottle of wine. A couple of drinks with dinner may give the couple time to sober up before driving home. More than a couple of drinks should be followed by a taxi, Uber, or Lyft home. Even worse than the threat of a DUI on Valentine’s, a drunk driving accident can cause serious injury or death. 

A newlywed couple was killed on Valentine’s Day after a woman crashed while drinking and driving. The driver was charged with homicide by negligent driving while impaired and could face a maximum penalty of 38 years in prison. 

According to witnesses, the impaired driver crossed the centerline, causing an accident with multiple vehicles. The newlywed couple were only 20 and 21-years-old at the time of the crash, with one dying at the scene and the other dying at the hospital. Police records showed the other driver tested positive for opiates and marijuana before the crash. 

Romantic Candles and House Fires

Candles around the house can also provide a bit of romance. Before lighting a bunch of candles to create the right mood, make sure the candles are not being placed too close to walls, curtains, or anything flammable. Newer LED candles can even flicker like real flames and are a much safer alternative. You do not want to interrupt a romantic moment smelling the curtains burning or calling 9-1-1 to put out a Valentine’s Day candle fire.

Cooking a romantic dinner carries some of the same warnings. Before planning your multi-course meal, check the batteries of your smoke detectors, make sure your carbon monoxide detector is working, and check your fire extinguisher. Brush up on your kitchen fire knowledge and remember not to try and put out a grease fire with water!  

Avoid the ER on Valentine’s Night

There may be an increase in certain types of injuries on Valentine’s Day, often directly related to romantic gestures. Candles not only start fires, but they can cause burns when they drip on someone, whether unintentionally or intentionally. Cooking plans can lead to knife injuries. Dropping a heavy flower vase can cause injuries from the broken glass. Bathtubs and showers can be slippery when wet, especially when two people are trying to get in at the same time after a couple of glasses of wine. 

Personal Injury Claim Lawyers

Many injuries that occur on Valentine’s Day are not the fault of the injury victim. A negligent driver, careless property owner, or defective product may cause serious injury. If you suffered an injury caused by another person’s negligence, you may be able to recover damages for your medical expenses, loss of income, and pain and suffering. 

Contact Gilman & Bedigian to speak with a member of our personal injury team, fill out an online case evaluation form or call (800) 529-6162 today.