With the winter weather approaching in Conway SC, the likelihood of weather related slip and fall accidents are rising. Even though our area may not receive all that much snow during the winter, a freezing rain or unexpected frost can lead to just as many slip and fall accidents resulting in serious injuries.
A slip and fall on ice and snow often leaves evidence of it happening, other than the damage to your body. Insurers may try to use this to their advantage, which is why you should contact a good lawyer if you are injured by a weather related slip and fall. These types of falls lead to millions of emergency room visits each year in the United States.
Parking lots and sidewalks in city are also common slip and fall areas since they take quite a hammering from foot and vehicle traffic each day. Heavy use can damage the walkway over time. This can lead to cracks, raised ground, potholes and other problems that pose a danger to others. Tragically, most of these accidents could have easily been prevented if owners had quickly corrected the problem.
There are many other places in which slip and falls commonly occur. Other common areas include Supermarkets, apartment buildings, shopping malls, restaurants, theaters and amusement parks— anywhere with heavy foot traffic.
The general causes of slip and falls in these areas are due to:
- Unmarked dangers, such as a pothole or wet surface.
- Uneven sidewalks or damages staircases
- Poorly lit walkways or sidewalks
- Building code violations
- Understaffed assisted living homes
These can be complex cases. Not everyone who slips and falls in a store, or on another’s property has grounds to file a lawsuit. Sometimes, a business owner is not aware of a danger that may have developed shortly before the accident. But the truth is that commercial property owners have a legal duty to make sure their properties are safe. If they don’t adhere to this duty and someone gets hurt in a fall, the owner of the property may be liable for the damages that result.
It’s not your fault that a property owner failed to safely maintain the property that caused your injury. If their negligence is the cause, they should be the ones facing the consequences. Our team handles these slip and fall and can make sure that happens.
After a slip, trip or fall accident, it’s critical to report the accident to management and to seek medical attention immediately. If you believe the conditions which led to your accident were preventable, you may have grounds to file a claim against a negligent property owner. We have a proven track record of success and welcome the opportunity to learn more about your slip and fall accident. If you would like to discuss your incident with our firm, please contact our team at Rankin & Rankin for your complimentary consultation and case evaluation.
