Slipped On An Icy Sidewalk? 3 Questions You May Have About Filing A Claim

With winter in full swing, it is common to see snow and ice on roads, sidewalks, and driveways. Therefore, it is important that you exercise extreme caution anytime that you leave your home. For instance, when you are behind the wheel, you should leave additional room between you and the vehicle in front of you in the event that you need to stop quickly or your vehicle starts to skid due to hitting a patch of black ice. When walking outside, you need to be aware of slippery surfaces like sidewalks and stairs. In the event you do slip and fall on ice, you can reach out to a personal injury attorney who can assist in determining the party responsible for damages. Until then, here are the answers to some questions that you may have.

Who Is Generally Responsible For Keep Sidewalks Clean?

While sidewalks are generally maintained by local municipalities, it is up to the property owner to shovel them. The exact laws will vary from county to county, so it is crucial that you contact the city to review local statutes. For instance, in some cases, a mixture of sand and salt may be provided by the city, but then property owners are expected to remove any snow and ice buildup within 24 hours after the weather clears.

How Can Liability Be Proven After Slipping On Ice?

If you end up slipping on a patch of ice in front of a business or residential property, you can photograph the hazardous condition to help prove liability. Make sure that the photograph is timestamped. Your photos of the property owner's failure to properly clear snow or ice can be corroborated with weather reports, surveillance footage, and eyewitness testimony.

How Can Damages Be Proven After Slipping On Ice?

For you to be able to recover monetary damages following an icy slip and fall, you need to be able to prove that damages were incurred as a direct result of the responsible party's negligence. A personal injury attorney will be able to assist in this matter as he or she will have the necessary resources to gather evidence for this. Evidence for damages will include things like your medical records, hospital bills, pharmacy receipts, insurance statements, pay stubs, loss of earning capacity projections, etc. You may want to keep a journal of your treatments, pain, etc. as well as daily photos of your injuries, as this can help.

For more information, reach out to a personal injury lawyer who can help gather evidence, negotiate with opposing counsel, consult with experts (if necessary), and ensure you get the compensation that you deserve.