Winter weather can be beautiful. But, it can also be hazardous, especially when snow and ice accumulate on sidewalks and roads. During the winter months, slip and fall accidents are common. These accidents can result in serious injuries such as broken bones, head trauma, and spinal cord damage. If an icy sidewalk has injured you, you may wonder whether you have a personal injury case.
The purpose of personal injury law is to compensate victims for their losses. It also aims to deter others from engaging in reckless or careless behavior.You may also be wondering if you can receive compensation for your damages.
What Are Some Sidewalk Ice Melt and Safety Tips?
The National Safety Council reports over 1 million ER visits are due to slip-and-fall accidents, one of the top causes of injury in the US. Slip-and-fall injuries cost an average of $30,000 and experts estimate they cost society over $13 billion. Not all slip-and-fall accidents occur on sidewalks. Sidewalks are often where slip-and-fall accidents happen, particularly in snowy and icy regions.
To prevent slip-and-fall accidents on icy sidewalks, it is important to take some precautions.
Here are some safety tips, such as:
- Use ice melt or sand to de-ice the sidewalk, and shovel snow after a snowfall.
- Wear appropriate footwear with good traction and non-slip soles.
- Walk slowly and carefully, and watch where you step.
- Use handrails or other supports for balance, especially on stairs and inclines.
- Avoid using your phone or texting while walking to avoid distractions.
- Be aware of black ice, which is a thin layer of ice that is difficult to see and can be even more slippery than regular ice.
- Report hazardous conditions to the property owner or municipality, so that they can take action to fix them.
Should I Hire a Personal Injury Lawyer for an Icy Sidewalk Lawsuit?
A personal injury lawyer can help with icy sidewalk accident legal proceedings. Consider hiring one to help gather evidence, assess your case, negotiate with insurance, and represent you in court. A contingency fee is usually charged by personal injury lawyers. Most personal injury lawyers work on a contingency fee basis. Fees are calculated based on how much money you get paid.You are charged based on the amount of compensation you receive.
What Is a Personal Injury Claim?
A personal injury claim is a legal action. It compensates for losses caused by negligence or wrongdoing. In the context of an icy sidewalk accident, you may file a personal injury claim. This claim is against the owner or occupier of the property where the accident occurred. If they fail to take reasonable steps to prevent or remove the ice and snow from the sidewalk. This may include homeowners, business owners, property managers, and municipalities.
Different Damages A Personal Injury Claim May Allow You to Recover
Filing a personal injury claim can make you eligible for compensation. Compensation can cover medical expenses and losses resulting from the injury. This can be done with insurance or through a lawsuit. You might be able to heal based on the type of injuries you sustained and how they affected your life:
● Economic damages
Compensation covers medical costs, income loss, and property damage.
● Non-Economic Damages
Is not quantifiable in money, such as pain and suffering, mental agony, physical deformity, and disability compensation.
● Punitive damages
Rarely, a judge may award non-monetary damages in a personal injury case to penalize the at-fault party.
If you hire a personal injury attorney, they can determine the type of damages you may receive in your case. Calculating the monetary value of your damages is another task that a lawyer may help you with.
How to Make a Snow or Icefall Claim
- Claiming for personal injuries received from snow or icefall can be a complicated process.The best option is to take the help of an experienced personal lawyer who can study your case and explain the various options available to you including the litigation and the possible outcome.
- Your health should be of primary importance, so make sure to get help from a doctor as soon as you can. Your health and rehabilitation depend on receiving medical care from a qualified specialist. The records of your care could be utilized as proof in your lawsuit.
- Document where you fell with photos and ask around to see if anyone else fell there as well.
- Contact the person or group you think is at fault. This could be a business, your place of employment, or a local government body.
Personal Injury Protection
PIP covers medical expenses for car accident injuries, regardless of fault. Also, covers lost wages for car accident injuries, regardless of fault. With a no-fault insurance system, your own insurance company pays benefits. No-fault insurance systems don’t need to sue the other driver or prove negligence. PIP doesn’t cover sidewalk slip-and-fall accidents since no motor vehicles are involved.
Conclusion
Slip and fall accidents on icy sidewalks can lead to injuries and losses, with the possibility of obtaining compensation via a personal injury lawsuit. To win a case, you must show fault and damage. It is important to hire a personal injury lawyer to ensure a favorable outcome. Using ice melt, appropriate footwear, and awareness of your surroundings can prevent accidents.
FAQs
Can I Sue for Personal Injury if I Slip and Fall on an Icy Sidewalk?
Suing for a personal injury requires proving that someone else was at fault. Proving the owner or occupier’s awareness of the hazardous sidewalk is vital. The owner must have failed to take reasonable precautions for the situation.
How Much Money Could I Get if I Slipped on Ice?
The nature of your injuries and the degree to which the organization at fault breached its duty of care are two of the variables that will determine how much compensation you are likely to get.
Is There a Deadline for Filing a Claim for Slipping on Ice?
You have three years to file a claim for slipping in the snow or ice, as with the majority of personal injury cases.