Black Friday is one of the busiest shopping days of the year, with millions of people flocking to stores in search of deals. According to the National Retail Federation (NRF), over Black Friday weekend in 2022, 122.7 million people visited brick-and-mortar stores, a 17% increase from 2021. While the excitement of finding the perfect gift at a great price can be exhilarating, the crowds and rush to get the best deals can also lead to Black Friday injuries.
In this blog, the Nevada personal injury lawyers at ER Injury Attorneys explain common Black Friday injuries, how to avoid them, and offer some Black Friday safety tips so you can shop safely.
Common Black Friday Injuries and How to Avoid Them
- Slip and Fall Injuries
The most common Black Friday injuries are slips, trips, and falls. These injuries vary and can range from mild to catastrophic. Slip and fall injuries are common in crowded stores, as the increased number of people can lead to a number of hazards like slippery surfaces, tripping hazards like misplaced objects, uneven flooring, and liquid spills.
You can avoid a slip and fall injury on Black Friday by:
- Wearing comfortable, sturdy shoes with non-slip soles
- Being careful when walking in crowded areas
- Watching out for spills and other hazards on the floor
- Reporting hazards to a store employee immediately
- Crowd Crushing
Another common Black Friday injury is related to crowds. Large crowds can be dangerous, especially when people are excited and trying to get the best deals. Crowd crush injuries can happen when large groups of people are packed tightly together and there is nowhere to go. These injuries can be serious, resulting in internal injuries, soft tissue injuries, and even death. This type of Black Friday injury is especially common in areas with poor traffic flow or where people are trying to get in or out of a crowded space.
You can avoid a crowd crushing injury on Black Friday by:
- Being aware of your surroundings and avoiding crowds that are too dense
- Raising your arms above your head to create space around your chest, if you can’t move
- Avoiding stores at peak shopping hours
- Staying on the edge of the crowd, so that you have a way to escape if necessary
- Not pushing or shoving other people
- Shopping Cart Injuries
This type of Black Friday injury is more prevalent in children, but shopping cart injuries can also impact adults. At least 66 children per day visit emergency departments for shopping cart-related injuries, according to Nationwide Children’s Hospital (NCH).
Shopping carts can be heavy, causing them to easily tip over if not loaded properly. Children can also fall out of shopping carts, especially if they are not supervised. Head injuries are the most serious type of shopping cart injury in children. These injuries can lead to lifelong disabilities. For adults, Black Friday accidents caused by shopping carts often result in broken bones, lacerations, illnesses, and falls.
You can avoid a shopping cart injury on Black Friday by:
- Avoiding overloading your cart
- Supervising children when they are using shopping carts
- Not allowing your child to sit in the cart
- Choosing a cart in good condition by checking if the wheels are properly inflated and that the moving parts are functioning.
More Black Friday Safety Tips
Along with avoiding the common Black Friday injuries mentioned above, there are a few more ways you can stay safe while scoring the best deals.
- Park in a well-lit area.
- Don’t carry too much cash. Use credit cards or your phone’s mobile payment system if possible.
- Be careful when carrying heavy shopping bags. Overloading yourself might lead to an injury.
- Be aware of your surroundings and keep an eye on your belongings.
- Watch out for pedestrians, especially when driving in parking lots and near store entrances and exits.
- There’s safety in numbers, so try to shop with a friend or family member, especially during late-night or early-morning hours.
- Avoid leaving purchased items visible in your vehicle. Store them in the trunk or cover them up.
- Prepare for heavy traffic and delays.
- Always drive carefully, as car accidents are more common during the holiday season.
- Watch out for distracted drivers as many people are likely to be using their phones when shopping to look for coupons and deals.
- Watch out for impaired drivers. Car wrecks caused by drivers under the influence of alcohol and drugs also increase during the holiday season. If you see someone you think might be driving under the influence, report it immediately to the police.
- Be patient and courteous in parking lots. Don’t engage with angry drivers. If someone instigates an argument with you, don’t try to escalate the situation.
Contact ER Injury Attorneys
Black Friday can be a great time to find deals on the things you need and want, but it’s important to be aware of the potential risks of injury. By knowing more about the causes of common Black Friday injuries, you’ll be able to potentially avoid them when you’re out shopping this year. If you or a loved one are injured in a Black Friday accident due to the negligence or recklessness of another, the team at ER Injury Attorneys can help.
We’ve helped clients in Las Vegas, Henderson, Summerlin, Boulder City, and Pahrump obtain damages like pain and suffering, lost wages, and more for their injuries. We are available 24/7 and during the holidays to help those injured in accidents.
Contact us 24/7 by calling 702-878-7878, via LiveChat, or by filling out our contact form for your free case consultation.