Slip and fall accidents can
occur at any time. They can happen inside a building where there is a spill on
the floor, or they can happen when a tile or section of concrete is left in a
state of disrepair that causes someone to trip. However, wintertime tends to
see more slip and fall accidents occurring outside when someone slips on snow
or ice.
Sometimes, a slip and fall
that occurs outside is simply nobody’s fault. In other cases, the city could
have plowed better or maybe a slip and fall occurred due to the negligence of a
shop or business owner that failed to perform their duty of clearing up the
snow and ice in their parking lot.
Whatever the case, there are
ways to prevent a slip and fall accident from happening. And while many times
it is the slippery surface that causes a person to lose his or her balance and
fall, it is the natural inclination to hold one’s hands out to brace themselves
for the fall that results in serious injuries to the hands and wrists. Many
people have suffered severely broken wrists as a result of this reaction. This
does not mean that falling on your hip is always better than falling on your
hands, however. A lot of hip injuries are also the result of falling on snow or
ice.
You can help prevent these
injuries happening to you by following these tips:
-
Be aware of
surface conditions and slow down; take small steps.
-
Choose your path
carefully and avoid icy conditions whenever possible.
-
Avoid sudden
movements when stepping onto a hard surface.
-
Get the snow off
from the bottom of your shoes when entering buildings.
-
Report trouble
spots to building maintenance personnel on or off campus.
-
Wear footwear
that has proper traction and are designed for walking on snow and ice.
-
Get an earlier
start to your destination. It takes more time to navigate winter walkways
safely, so giving yourself more time will help prevent injuries from rushing.
-
Be careful when
getting out of your vehicle. If possible, swing your legs around and place both
feet on the pavement before you attempt to stand. Steady yourself on the
doorframe until you have gained your balance.
As for things that
businesses can do to prevent customers from getting hurt, they can inspect the
areas in front of their business. This is especially important if a business
has an off-street parking lot where maintenance is the responsibility of the
business owner or property management company.
If
you or someone you know has been involved in a car crash or truck accident in
Detroit, Grand Rapids, Warren, Sterling Heights, Lansing, Flint, Ann Arbor,
Livonia, Dearborn, Canton, Westland, Troy, Farmington Hills, Southfield,
Waterford or any other city in Michigan, make sure to contact Motor City
Accident Attorneys by calling 1-800-411-PAIN. Motor City Accident Attorneys
know how stressful a car accident can be and want to help you get back on your
feet. They will fight tirelessly for your rights and help you get the compensation
you deserve, according to your specific case. Make sure to follow Motor City
Accident Attorneys on Twitter (@MCAccidentAtty) and Facebook. Join the
conversation by using #MCAA.
