With the onset of winter rapidly approaching, New York City residents need know two things: how to avoid slip-and-fall accidents, and how to hold responsible parties accountable if they do happen. Considering that, as New Yorkers, we walk everywhere, the likelihood of a personal injury from a slip-and-fall accident is greater here than outside the city, although people there are at risk too. Here are some tips to help you avoid a slip-and-fall accident this winter.
First off, slip-and-fall accidents often occur as a direct result of negligence: landowners often fail to clear their premises of debris, liquid, or other substances that could cause someone to fall; design flaws sometimes go undiscovered until someone suffers an accident, and those flaws usually violate building codes; and improper, inadequate lighting makes any area unsafe. If you are an injury victim that has suffered a slip-and-fall accident because of these circumstances, or any similar conditions, you are likely entitled to a substantial personal injury settlement.
Of course, there are many things that you can do to keep from falling. We know that New Yorkers are perpetually in a hurry, but try to go slow and take small steps for stability. Wearing proper foot-gear is a must – way too many people walk around with sneakers in the snow. Walking in designated walkways as often as you can, testing possible slick surfaces before walking over them, and not carrying heavy objects while walking in the snow are all ways of decreasing the likelihood of suffering a slip-and-fall accident. If you do slip-and-fall this winter, our personal injury attorneys will know exactly how to compensate you to the fullest extent possible.