Festive or Fatal? The Risks of Christmas Tree Transportation

November 30, 2021 | By Greene Broillet & Wheeler

The holiday season is usually a time of joy. Spending time with family and friends, getting out of town, the smell of pine throughout the house, and eating lots of tasty foods are some of the reasons why this time of year is so great.

If a driver is planning to bring home a Christmas tree this year, they should be prepared to properly transport it so that they don’t end up in a bind. Here’s what you need to know:

Improper Christmas Tree Transportation Leads to Accidents and Injuries

Unfortunately, when people fail to properly plan how they expect to transport a Christmas tree, serious consequences can result. According to a new survey from the AAA, 44% of American residents who plan to buy an authentic Christmas tree this year will transport it using unsafe means, like not utilizing the roof rack or putting it in the back of a pickup truck without properly securing it.

According to another AAA study, debris on the road caused over 200,000 accidents throughout a four-year period, which caused 39,000 injuries and 500 fatalities.

Mitigate Risks By Adequately Preparing

Drivers can reduce their risk of having a Christmas tree mishap on the road this season by doing the following:

• Prepare ahead of time.
  • A driver must consider the things they may need before they head out to the Christmas tree lot, including:
    • Strong rope,
    • Ratchet straps,
    • An old blanket,
    • Gloves, and
    • A vehicle large enough to transport a tree.
• Cover and wrap the tree.
  • Before loading the tree, a driver should use an old blanket to cover the roof so it is protected from scratches and other damages. After choosing the perfect tree, the driver should ask the workers at the lot to wrap it in netting before it’s loaded up.
• Load the tree with the trunk first.
  • The driver should set the tree on the roof rack or in the back of the truck with the trunk toward the front of the vehicle. If there’s no roof rack and the car is big enough, the driver can put the tree inside the car.
• Effectively secure the tree.
  • Be sure to tie the tree down at the bottom, center, and top with tough rope or nylon ratchet straps.
• Conduct a tug test for quality control.
  • The driver should use their strength to tug on the tree from different angles to make sure it’s not going anywhere.
• Use caution when driving.
  • While transporting a tree, a driver should not drive as they normally would. They should slow down, take turns at a reduced speed, and remember to be patient.

If Another’s Carelessness Hurt You, We’re Here to Help

If you’ve been hurt in a crash as a result of another’s carelessness, we want to do everything we can to see that justice is served on your behalf. Don’t hesitate to reach out to our office right away with any questions you may have.

Contact our Los Angeles attorneys with the details of your case right away at (866) 634-4525 or contact us online. We will fight to recover your full and fair compensation.