Snowstorms can suddenly hit New York, leaving many unprepared for the dangers they may face simply by walking in the winter weather. Thousands of people are injured in falls every day in New York, often suffering significant injuries.
These injuries can cost a lot of money to treat. If you are injured in a slip and fall accident in a snowstorm, how do you get the money you need to cover your medical bills and lost wages? Depending on how the accident happened, you may be able to hold the owner of the property where you fell financially liable for your injuries. If you been injured, our New York City slip and fall lawyers at David Resnick & Associates, P.C. are here to help! Contact our slip and fall injury law firm to start your claim today!
The Dangers of Winter Weather
Some of the many dangers that can be caused by winter weather are:
These hazards increase the likelihood of slipping on ice and suffering painful injuries. A NYC slip and fall attorney can review the circumstances of your trip and fall in New York and determine if you might have a claim against the negligent property owner.
Liability in a Slip-and-Fall Case
Two main parties may be liable if you slip and fall during a New York snowstorm. The first is the owner of the property where you fell. According to the New York City Administrative Code, property owners are responsible for maintaining the sidewalks in front of and adjoining their property. This includes whatever part of the sidewalk touches the corner of an intersection. If you were on the property legally, you might be able to hold the property owner liable for your injuries.
There are a few things to be aware of before filing a snowstorm slip and fall claim against a property owner. First, property owners are generally not required to clear pathways while snow is actively falling. So, if the storm was ongoing when the accident happened, you may have a harder time proving liability. However, property owners are required to keep sidewalks free of ice and snow once the snow has stopped falling. Furthermore, property owners should also make sure that sidewalks and pathways are designed in a way to minimize the chance of ice forming.
You may also be able to file a claim against the city government in certain instances. The city maintains sidewalks in one-family, two-family, or three-family homes and certain public areas. Suing the government can be a challenge. However, an experienced New York City slip and fall attorney can help you with the details of that claim.
How a Slip and Fall Lawyer Can Help You
Whether you’re filing a claim against a private property owner or the city government, you want help from a lawyer to recover compensation after a slip-and-fall. A lawyer can help document your injuries and collect other evidence to show how the property owner or the city was negligent.
An attorney can also handle settlement negotiations to help you claim as much compensation as possible for your injuries. Finally, slip-and-fall claims need to be filed correctly and within certain time limits. A lawyer can assist with these matters.
Contact Our Snowstorm Slip and Fall Lawyers Today
The New York slip-and-fall lawyers at David Resnick & Associates, P.C. understand the devastating physical, emotional, and financial effects a slip and fall accident can cause. If you were injured from a slip and fall accident in a snowstorm, contact our office today for a free consultation with one of our experienced personal injury lawyers.