The holidays bring excitement, celebrations, and plenty of travel across East Alabama and West Georgia. From crowded shopping centers like Tiger Town in Opelika, the Auburn Mall, and Walmart in Valley on Highway 29, to festive nights in downtown Auburn and historic downtown Opelika, our local roads stay busy this time of year.
But with the extra traffic comes a rise in car accidents, fender benders, parking-lot crashes, delivery-truck collisions, and even holiday break-ins. As personal injury attorneys who handle crashes and injuries every day, we want our community to stay safe, prepared, and protected this season.
Below are practical, local, and legally informed safety tips to help you avoid unnecessary injuries and make sure your insurance coverage is where it needs to be before you hit the road.
Expect Busier Roads and Heavier Traffic
Even without snow or ice, Alabama sees a spike in collisions during the holidays simply because there are more people on the roads. Whether you are heading to a Christmas party, making a late-night Target run, or driving home after seeing the Luminaries at Collinwood in Opelika, or watching a Christmas movie at Hey Day in Auburn or taking your family to the Merry Christmas Merry Go Round in Valley , more vehicles mean more risk.
Watch for Delivery Trucks and Overworked Drivers
The increase in holiday shipping puts pressure on:
- UPS, FedEx, and USPS drivers
- Independent delivery workers in personal cars
- Grocery and retail delivery vans
These drivers are often working long hours under tight deadlines, which leads to:
- Sudden stops
- Unpredictable lane changes
- Distracted driving
- Parking hazards in busy shopping centers
Give Yourself Extra Time
Rushing is one of the biggest contributors to holiday crashes. Plan ahead and add 10–15 extra minutes to every drive. This small buffer helps you avoid risky decisions when the roads are congested.
Parking-Lot Accidents Spike During the Holidays
Parking-lot collisions are incredibly common this time of year, especially in:
- Tiger Town in Opelika
- Auburn Mall
- Walmart Valley (Hwy 29)
- Givorn’s Grocery Store
- Downtown Auburn and Downtown Opelika shopping corridors
- Sam’s Club & Kroger centers in Auburn
Protect Yourself From Fender Benders
Holiday fender benders happen when:
- Drivers are backing out quickly
- People are hunting for parking spaces
- Pedestrians are crossing unexpectedly
- Drivers are distracted by GPS or holiday shopping lists
Tips to Reduce Parking-Lot Crashes
- Park farther away and walk — fewer cars, fewer risks
- Back into your space for better visibility
- Stick to well-lit areas
- Put your phone away until you’re parked
- Watch for pedestrians carrying bags or pushing carts
Drunk Driving Increases During Holiday Parties
Local holiday events, work Christmas parties, and gatherings with friends mean higher chances of drunk driving accidents. From downtown hotspots to private gatherings, people often underestimate their impairment — especially after “a little eggnog.”
Stay Safe and Avoid DUI-Related Collisions
- Use Uber, Lyft, or a designated driver after drinking
- Assume other drivers may be impaired, especially late at night
- Leave extra space between you and the car in front of you
- Call law enforcement if you notice dangerous driving
If someone else’s impaired driving causes your injuries, you may be entitled to compensation for medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, and more.
Ready to discuss your case? Contact our experienced team of personal injury lawyers for a free initial case consultation*
Avoid Holiday Car Break-Ins in Shopping Areas
With more people shopping, break-ins rise at places like:
- Tiger Town
- Auburn Mall
- Walmart in Valley
- Downtown Opelika’s shopping and restaurant district
Make Your Vehicle a Harder Target
- Do not leave bags or valuables in plain sight
- Lock your doors every time
- Park under lights and near entrances
- Avoid leaving guns, purses, or electronics in your car
- Double-check your car before walking into a store
Protect Your Home While Traveling
Holiday travel means your home may be empty — and criminals know it.
Keep Your Home Safe When You’re Away
- Use timers on lights
- Ask a neighbor to collect packages
- Avoid posting travel plans online
- Lock all windows and secondary doors
- Keep security cameras or doorbell cameras active
A little preparation can keep your home secure while you enjoy your holiday trip.
Watch Out for Porch Pirates This Holiday Season
With more people shopping online in November and December, porch pirates become a very real problem across Auburn, Opelika, Valley, Beauregard, and communities all over East Alabama. Package theft spikes during the holidays, especially in neighborhoods where delivery drivers are working long hours and dropping off dozens of packages per street.
Why Porch Pirates Are More Active During the Holidays
- Delivery vans make repeated stops in the same neighborhoods
- Packages stack up on porches while people are at work or shopping
- Drivers often take photos but do not always hide packages well
- Thieves look for easy targets in broad daylight
How to Protect Your Packages From Theft
- Use Amazon Hub lockers around Auburn and Opelika when possible
- Have packages sent to your workplace if allowed
- Add delivery instructions asking drivers to leave items behind a pillar, chair, or side door
- Install a video doorbell (Ring, Blink, etc.)
- Ask a trusted neighbor to grab packages if you’re gone all day
- Track your deliveries so boxes aren’t sitting outside for hours
What to Do If Your Package Is Stolen
- Check with neighbors first, drivers often leave packages at the wrong house
- Look at your security camera footage if available
- Contact the retail store or seller, many offer free replacement
- File a police report, especially if it’s part of a larger neighborhood pattern
- Notify your HOA or neighborhood group to alert others
Porch piracy is a crime of opportunity, and simple steps can drastically reduce your risk.
Check Your Auto Insurance Before the Holidays
One overlooked part of holiday safety is making sure your insurance coverage is strong enough before an accident happens.
Minimum Coverage Is Not Enough
Alabama’s minimum liability coverage often does not cover the full cost of injuries or property damage after a crash. This leaves families paying out-of-pocket during the most expensive time of year.
We Recommend Reviewing:
- Uninsured Motorist (UM)
- Underinsured Motorist (UIM)
- Medical Payments Coverage
- Collision coverage
- Rental reimbursement
This is especially important with more out-of-state visitors, delivery drivers, and seasonal workers on the road.
What to Do If You’re Injured in a Holiday-Related Car Accident
If you’re involved in a crash in Auburn, Opelika, Valley, or anywhere in East Alabama:
Steps to Take Immediately
- Call 911
- Take photos of damage, injuries, and surroundings
- Get witness contact information
- Seek medical attention right away
- Do not give a recorded statement to insurance
- Call a local personal injury attorney
At Walton Law Firm, we help injury victims navigate medical bills, lost wages, vehicle repairs, and the stress that follows a crash. We are local attorneys, not a call center, and we are right here in your community when you need us.
Stay Safe and Enjoy the Season, East Alabama & West Georgia
The holidays should be filled with joy, not emergency room visits or insurance headaches. By staying alert, slowing down, and preparing ahead of time, you can protect your family and reduce your risk of holiday-related injuries.
If you or a loved one is injured in a holiday accident, call us for a free consultation. We have recovered tens of millions for injured people in Auburn, Opelika, Valley, Chambers County, Troup and Harris County and across East Alabama and West Georgia.
We wish you a safe and Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!
