Traffic safety officials across the country call summer months the “100 Deadliest Days” because fatal car crashes spike dramatically on Minnesota roads and across the country during this time.

At TSR Injury Law, we keep you informed about how you can stay safer behind the wheel. But when you get into a collision, despite your best efforts, we are also ready to protect your legal rights from day one. Navigating a legal claim on your own is challenging, especially while you are still healing from your injuries. The good news is that you don’t have to go it alone. Call to speak with one of our highly qualified car crash lawyers today. We are ready to get to work on your behalf, and we have the resources and staff to do it so you can focus on healing.

Not sure if you have a case? Call TSR Injury Law today to learn more about your legal options in a completely free consultation.

Call (612) TSR-TIME today to request your FREE case review!

What Are the 100 Deadliest Days and When Do They Start in Minnesota?

Traffic safety officials use this term for the summer months spanning from Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day weekend. According to AAA, this period, which spans roughly 100 calendar days and falls between these two holiday weekends, has a sharp increase in fatal crashes each year.

This pattern of devastating crashes occurs each year between late May and continues through early September.

Why Are the Roads More Dangerous Between Memorial Day and Labor Day?

Summer brings nice weather, and people look forward to getting out without having to first scrape off the ice or warm up their cars. Schools are closed, too, making it a great time for families with children to take a road trip. Along with the pleasures of enjoying the nicer weather, however, you have a dangerous combination of increased traffic and inexperienced drivers. Other seasonal factors between Memorial Day and Labor Day also contribute to the “100 Deadliest Days” of Summer.

Is It True More Teen Drivers Are Involved in Crashes During Summer’s 100 Deadliest Days?

According to studies done by AAA, this is absolutely true. Nationwide between 2019-2023 they found that 30 percent of fatal crashes occurred during summer’s 100 deadliest days. Of those crashes, eight victims each day during the summer months were killed in a collision involving a teen driver. That number is compared to the seven killed each day by a teen driver during the rest of the year.

Key Factors That Increase Crashes During Minnesota’s Summer Months

Increased traffic volume combined with more inexperienced drivers being on the road are major factors contributing to the rise in serious crashes during the summer months. But there are additional factors we are all pretty familiar with that have a significant impact or create hazardous driving conditions during this time.

Some of the most common crash factors in Minnesota – and across the country – through Labor Day include:

Road Construction Projects

Minnesota has an intense construction season, locally known as “orange barrel season.” The numerous projects that occur across the state during the summer can turn into hazardous obstacle courses for drivers, with unexpected stops and detours along the way. Even experienced drivers may get caught off guard if their attention is not fully focused on the road.

More Motorcycle Riders on the Road

The warmer weather gets everyone outside – and this is the perfect time of year to dust off your motorcycle and enjoy some time connecting with the outdoors. But the higher volume of motorcycle traffic is another contributing factor to the overall number of motor vehicle collisions between Memorial Day and Labor Day. All drivers, but especially drivers who are more reckless or inexperienced, may not remember to check for these less visible, two-wheeled vehicles.

Impaired Driving After Summer Social Events

Summertime brings a plethora of festivals, concerts, parties, and all kinds of other outdoor activities and celebrations. From Minneapolis to Bloomington, the Twin Cities, and throughout the state, this means there are bound to be more intoxicated drivers on the road. Many of these crashes happen during the weekend and at night, when people are coming home from these events. Even though Minnesota has a Zero Tolerance law for drivers under 21, many drunk driving crashes often involve teen drivers and young adults.

Distracted Driving on Popular Summer Routes

Many couples, families and friends take road trips between Memorial Day and Labor Day, taking advantage of the nice weather. Some may travel across the state while others take day trips enjoying some of Minnesota’s local scenic drives, like the Grand Rounds National Scenic Byway that loops around our parks and lakes. Unfortunately, drivers may become distracted by:

• Rowdy, excited passengers – especially if the driver is a teen or young adult
• Kids in the backseat arguing, playing, or asking mom and dad 100 questions
• Loud music getting everyone pumped up – including the driver
• Drivers and influencers riding solo attempting to take selfies and videos

Impatient Drivers Getting Reckless or Aggressive in Heavy Traffic

Whether it’s vacation-bound drivers or daily commuters, being stuck in heavy traffic due to construction or other unexpected hazards causes some drivers to become reckless. This level of impatience may tempt drivers to dart in and out of traffic lanes to get further ahead. Aggressive drivers may also speed excessively when traffic is moving, tailgating drivers they feel are going too slow.

Drowsy Driving After Social Events or Long Road Trips

While there is nothing like a weekend concert, camping trip, or even a long day trip over a summer weekend to de-stress, the drive back can be dangerous. People often push themselves on a return road trip to try to get home sooner. The longer daylight hours combined with drowsy drivers on the road pose a serious risk on the roadway. Overly tired drivers are slower to make decisions or to react to unexpected hazards. Sometimes, drowsy drivers may not even see a road risk, such as another vehicle cutting them off, until it is too late.

Weather-Related Hazards

Unexpected weather changes, especially severe thunderstorms in summer, can cause roads to become slick and dangerous in minutes. Drivers who are not fully focused on the road could quickly cause a crash involving multiple vehicles.

Which Major Routes in Minneapolis May Have Higher Crash Rates in Summer?

Summer travel patterns and increased traffic volume significantly increase the risk of a crash, even on roads in residential areas. But you are more likely to see significantly higher crash rates on Minneapolis’s busiest transportation corridors, including along these types of roads:

Interstate Highways: Major routes like I-35W and I-94 become deadly corridors as heavy vacation traffic creates the perfect storm for catastrophic multi-vehicle crashes during peak travel season.

Highway Corridors: Highway 169 and other major highways are also likely to have more severe or fatal crashes, including head-on collisions, during heavier summer traffic.

High-Speed Arterials: Major city streets with higher posted speed limits become extremely hazardous routes in summer due to increased traffic volumes, especially since you have more inexperienced and unfamiliar drivers from out-of-state trying to navigate these and other major commuter routes while traveling.

Construction Zones: Summer road work gives everyone headaches, but it also creates treacherous bottlenecks with lane restrictions. Sudden traffic pattern changes are also problematic and can catch any driver off guard while traveling through the metropolitan area, especially at night.

Recreational Traffic Routes: Highways leading to popular summer destinations like lakes and state parks become hazardous as inexperienced drivers flood Minneapolis roadways while rushing to reach favorite vacation spots.

Commercial Corridors: Major streets with heavy truck traffic and multiple access points turn into collision hotspots when combined with distracted summer vacation travelers navigating busy intersections.

Key Tips for Avoiding Crashes During the 100 Deadliest Days of Summer in Minnesota

Driving safer is primarily following all the traffic rules and paying attention to what is going on in front of you and around you. But it is easy to forget some of the most crucial factors that impact road safety.

These key tips can help you to avoid crashes during the 100 deadliest days of Summer:

• Prepare Your Vehicle and Route: Make sure your vehicle is properly serviced and road ready and plan your route in advance to avoid road construction and the heaviest traffic.
• Don’t Drive While Distracted or Impaired: Avoid distracting behaviors, like texting and driving, or driving while impaired by alcohol. Never get into a vehicle driven by someone who is impaired.
• Maintain Safe Speeds and Following Distances: Follow posted speed limits, adjusting your speed and allowing extra distance between vehicles as needed for road conditions, traffic, and the weather.
• Stay Hydrated and Rested: Make sure you drink plenty of water and plan to take rest stops along the way.
• Always Buckle Up: Be sure to use your seatbelt and insist any passengers riding with you buckle up as well.
• Stay Alert for Vulnerable Road Users: Watch for pedestrians, cyclists, and motorcycle riders.
• Be Prepared in Case You Break Down: Flat tires, overheating engines, and other car breakdowns are more common in summer. Be sure you have a fully charged phone, water, snacks, and a plan for what to do/who you can call.

What Should You Do Immediately After a Summer Crash in Minnesota?

Sometimes, despite your best efforts, you may still get involved in a crash. If this happens, it is important to stay calm. What you do immediately following a crash is critical to your safety – and the safety of others.

Immediate steps to take after a summer collision in Minnesota:

Check for Injuries and Call 911

Assess yourself and passengers for injuries before calling 911. It is a good idea to call emergency services even if you think your crash and your injuries are relatively minor. You cannot know if you are badly hurt without a proper medical examination and diagnostic testing to rule out internal injuries.

Turn on Vehicle Hazard Lights

Activating your vehicle’s emergency flashers helps to alert approaching drivers. This can help others see your vehicle sooner and recognize something is wrong so they can maneuver around you more safely.

Move Vehicle to Safer Location if Possible:

If your vehicle is drivable after the crash and still close to passing traffic, try to maneuver it further off the road, being mindful to watch for traffic around you.

Document What You Can From the Safety of Your Vehicle

Never exit your vehicle after a crash, as you could be putting yourself at risk of being hit by passing traffic. If you can do so safely, try to take pictures of the road and where the crash occurred from inside your vehicle. Remember, though, that crash scene investigators and police officers will document and gather crash details when they arrive on the scene, and they are trained to do so safely.

Exchange Information With Other Drivers

If police are present, they will be gathering the insurance information and contact details of all drivers for the police report. When police do not respond because a crash is minor, this is information you should make sure you collect.

Identify and Get Contact Details From Witnesses

When there are observers or other witnesses to your car crash, be sure to identify them and collect their contact details. Your attorney can vet their statement and determine if they have credible information that could strengthen your claim for a legal case.

Seek Immediate Medical Attention

Waiting to get a medical examination could put your health – and your legal claim – at risk. Your health should always be a priority over anything else. Visit a nearby hospital emergency room for a medical evaluation immediately after your car crash. Sometimes an urgent care center may suffice if the crash is more minor and if one nearby is open.

Getting an immediate medical evaluation is also critical if you intend to seek a legal claim for your medical costs, property damage, and other losses. Your visit – including the reason, diagnosis, testing, and prescribed plan of care will all be documented in your medical records. This vital evidence helps to link your injuries to the car crash that caused them.

Notify Your Insurance Company

As soon as your injuries are stabilized, you need to inform your insurance company. Many policies allow only a short time for you to do this. Be sure you are familiar with the deadline required under your policy.

Contact a Personal Injury Lawyer

At TSR Injury Law, we have a team of highly qualified staff and experienced attorneys ready to manage your case. When we represent you, we begin protecting your legal rights and best interests right away. We can also communicate with your insurance company and other third parties on your behalf and protect you from common mistakes injured victims often make – like agreeing to give a recorded statement.

Need Legal Help After a Summer Crash in Minnesota? Call TSR Injury Law Today

Summer collisions often involve complex factors that require experienced legal representation, and this is where we shine.

At TSR Injury Law, our knowledgeable local Minneapolis car crash attorneys help victims injured by negligent drivers every day. This means we have in-depth and firsthand knowledge of the unique challenges that arise in a car crash legal case. Our objective is to protect your legal interests, strategically manage the complex aspects of your case, and recover the maximum possible compensation on your behalf. We have your back so you can focus on your healing.

Injured by a negligent driver? Call TSR Injury Law today for a free consultation to discuss your case and learn how we are prepared to help you move forward. We would be honored to help you, and since we take cases on contingency, you pay no upfront costs or out-of-pocket fees to hire us. We only get paid if you do.

Need a Lawyer Who Gets Results? Call (612) TSR-TIME today!