Wintertime brings colder temperatures and the chance of hail, snow, and ice to much of the nation. While snow can be beautiful, winter precipitation can also be deadly. Accumulations of ice and snow on roads, parking lots, and sidewalks can make travel treacherous to drivers and pedestrians.
If you slip and fall on accumulations of ice or snow on someone else’s property, you may be entitled to compensation. However, evidence can melt away quickly, and you probably need assistance from a personal injury attorney. If you want to hold someone accountable, Better Phone Stone.
What Is a Slip-and-Fall Accident?
Most slip-and-fall accidents happen in commercial areas, and those caused by unshovelled snow are no exception. Homeowners need to keep their properties safe as well, but business owners and managers reasonably expect customers to visit their establishments on a daily basis.
Businesses have a duty of care to maintain safe conditions, particularly in public areas. Those areas don’t start at the doors; they begin in parking lots and include sidewalks.
Unsalted ice and unshoveled snow create slick surfaces, and pedestrians are at high risk for slipping and falling.
When Should Ice and Snow Be Treated and Removed?
Shoveling snow during a snowstorm isn’t practical because surface surfaces are likely to be recovered by ice or snow, and it poses a danger to those manning the shovels. Some states adhere to an “ongoing storm” or “storm in progress” doctrine, which allows business owners or property managers to wait a reasonable time after a storm ends to remove snow and ice buildups. Other states require these responsible parties to use reasonable care.
Can Pedestrians Always Recover Compensation in a Snow-Related Slip-and-Fall?
Every accident is different. The circumstances surrounding your slip-and-fall injury need to be examined before a determination is made regarding your eligibility to seek compensation. Some factors are:
- How long a snow or ice accumulation was present
- When a snowstorm took place and ended
- If the injured accident victim took reasonable care when walking on parking lots or sidewalks
- State negligence laws
Generally speaking, a business owner or property manager is guilty of negligence if they fail to clear away ice and snow accumulations in a reasonable time after it falls.
Insurance claims for snow-related slip-and-fall accidents are often slippery as well. Insurance companies will likely try to take advantage of the wiggle room provided by the term “reasonable” and attempt to deny compensation. That’s why it’s beneficial to hire an experienced personal injury attorney from Jason Stone Injury Lawyers. We won’t let them slide on their responsibility to you.
What Kinds of Compensation Can You Receive?
If your injuries and accident qualify, you can seek different kinds of damages.
Economic Damages
You’ll probably have several expenses resulting from your injuries. This compensation reimburses you for things like:
- Medical treatments
- Lost wages
- Certain daily expenses
- Property damage
Keep your receipts and give them to your attorney.
Non-Economic Damages
Accidents sometimes result in injuries that aren’t necessarily tangible but can cause significant harm. You may qualify for compensation for things like:
- Pain and suffering
- Permanent disfigurement or disability
- Losing your ability to enjoy life
- Personal relationship damage
Punitive or Exemplary Damages
Few cases qualify for this category of damages. The responsible party must have acted with malice, recklessness, or intentionally caused your accident. Ask your attorney from Jason Stone Injury Lawyers if you’re eligible.
What Should You Do After a Slip-and-Fall Accident?
There are several tasks you should complete after any kind of accident. We’ll discuss tasks specific to an unshoveled snow slip-and-fall.
Notify the Responsible Party
You don’t necessarily need to call the police if you slip and fall on snow or ice and sustain injuries. Still, you do need to report your accident to store managers or others who are responsible for maintaining clear walkways. These people should create a written incident report, and you should request a copy.
Gather Evidence
Snow and ice can melt, and people can rush to clear away the evidence in an attempt to avoid responsibility for your accident. While you’re at the scene, it’s crucial that you take pictures and videos of your surroundings. Pay particular attention to the area of the surface that caused your fall, but capture the entire area as well.
You should also record witness statements if possible. Look around the area and note the locations of video surveillance cameras so your attorney can request copies of their recordings. This video evidence will show why and how you fell.
Accept or Seek a Medical Assessment
Even if you don’t believe your injuries are severe, you should always request a medical assessment immediately following an accident. Medical professionals can diagnose and treat conditions you’re unaware of. Another advantage is that your Jason Stone Injury Lawyers’ attorney will use the written record of this examination to establish a baseline for your medical condition in your personal injury claim or lawsuit.
Contact a Slip-and-Fall Attorney
Time is of the essence in snow-related slip-and-fall accidents. State laws mandate time limits governing how long you have to file a claim; these statutes of limitations are typically significantly shorter if a government agency is involved.
You’ll benefit from the speedy service you’ll receive from a competent personal injury lawyer.
How Can a Slip-and-Fall Lawyer Help?
Even if your injuries aren’t serious, they can still adversely impact your life. If someone’s negligence caused your accident, you deserve compensation. A skilled slip-and-fall accident attorney can assess your case and provide assistance.
When you hire Jason Stone and his team, we will:
- Provide advice and present your legal options
- Investigate your accident and gather evidence to support your claim
- Prepare and submit all paperwork related to your claim
- Serve as your spokesperson with insurance company representatives
- Negotiate a favorable settlement from liable insurance companies
- Take your case to court if needed
- Help you get appropriate care
As you can see, hiring an attorney has many benefits. There’s no need for you to worry about these necessary tasks. We’ll facilitate these things for you so you can focus on your recovery.
Can You Trust Jason Stone Injury Lawyers?
Injured accident victims have trusted Jason Stone Injury Lawyers since 2004, and you can trust us too. We believe that you deserve a personal relationship with your attorney and the peace of mind from knowing we will do everything in our power to assist you throughout your recovery and claims process.
To gain your trust, we offer our Stone Cold Guarantee to every client. We’ll begin with a free case evaluation, and you won’t owe us any fees until we win compensation for you. There’s No Obligation, Just Information®.
Do You Need a Slip and Fall Accident Attorney?
If you sustained injuries by slipping and falling on unshoveled snow on someone else’s property, you might need to hire an experienced attorney. Jason Stone Injury Lawyers focus on personal injury claims and lawsuits, so we know how to obtain the compensation you deserve. We have won more than $60 million for our clients, and we’ll fight to recover damages for you too.
Someone is available to speak to you 24/7 at Jason Stone Injury Lawyers. You can use live chat, call us at (800) 577-5188, or request an appointment online. Before You Deal With the Insurance Companies on Your Own, You Better Phone Stone®.
Not Trusting What You’re Being Told?
Better Phone Stone
800-577-5188
START MY NO OBLIGATION CONSULTATION
