Slip and Fall Injuries in Parking Lots During the Holiday Season
The holiday season is a time for celebration. It is a time for families to come together and be thankful for what they have and to show each other how much they care. However, the holiday season also brings some added risks. Being aware of the dangers can help to maintain a happy holiday. When accidents do happen, knowing what to do is important.
Parking Lot Dangers During the Holidays
Parking lots become more dangerous during the holidays for a variety of reasons:
Traffic Increase: Parking lots are packed during the holiday season. With so many people trying to get gifts, the stores are busier than any other time of year. This increase means a lot more mishaps occur. Parking lots are filled with more cars and more pedestrians at this time. This leads to more pedestrian accidents and car accidents.
Distracted Driving: When drivers are more focused on their shopping lists than their driving, distracted driving accidents can happen. More people may be on their phones texting family or looking at the latest shopping deals. The combination of more traffic and less attention by drivers and pedestrians can cause real problems.
Holiday Stress: The holidays are a happy time, but they can also be very stressful. This stress can make shoppers move faster whether walking or driving. Increased speed and decreased focus in parking lots can significantly increase the risk of slip and fall accidents.
Winter Weather: The weather during the holiday season can lead to accidents. Slippery, wet, or icy conditions can cause vehicles to lose control and crash into other cars or people. Lower visibility from winter storms can add to driving risks. Additionally, just walking into or out of the store can be a risky endeavor when the ground is slippery from ice or snow.
Dangers of Slip and Fall Accidents
For pedestrians, one of the biggest risks in parking lots during the holiday season is the chance of a slip and fall injury. People may not take these types of accidents as seriously as they should, thinking a fall is something minor. However, slip and fall accidents can lead to significant injuries or even death. This is why responsible business owners take appropriate safety measures to ensure that their parking lots and walkways are clear. Not all businesses are responsible, and it can be hard to keep up with the weather.
What Should I Do After a Slip and Fall Accident?
After a slip and fall accident, the injured person needs to keep their well-being in mind and follow the right steps:
● Assess the scene and any injuries. People will often try to immediately get up from a fall and act as though everything is alright. Since injuries can be worse than they first appear, it is wise to take a moment to assess an injury and not make it worse by moving too soon.
● Seek medical attention. If an injury may be severe, do not hesitate to contact emergency medical personnel. Furthermore, after a fall, making an appointment with a physician can reveal undetected problems.
● Take notes about the accident scene. For medical and legal reasons, it is best to document details, like location, time, weather conditions, and witnesses.
● Contact a lawyer after the accident. If an injury occurs and a property owner is responsible, seeking legal advice is important.
Liability in Parking Lot Falls
When it comes to liability in slip and fall accidents, there are several considerations to take into account. The location and condition of the area are important factors. Additionally, the specific circumstances, like what the injured party was doing at the time and what led to the incident, factor into it.
Many victims do not receive compensation for their injuries because they are too quick to take responsibility or dismiss the seriousness of their injuries. When people slip and fall, it is common to see them get up as fast as they can. People are often embarrassed after a fall and will try to quickly dismiss it. Reactions like this can become problematic later on. A fall may not seem like anything significant at first, but there can be more substantial injuries that are not obvious at the time but can develop later. Assuming that everything is alright after a fall can complicate matters, such as future medical bills.
Should I Speak to a Lawyer After a Slip and Fall Accident?
If an injury results from the negligence of a property owner, they should be held responsible. However, one may have been able to avoid an injury if the property owner had used reasonable care to keep the property safe. While these cases are complex, it is important to collect information right after the accident happens. For example, take pictures of one’s injuries and the hazard that led to the fall. Talk to witnesses and ask the property owner to file an accident report. This helps to get the process of building a case started.
Once one receives medical treatment, one can discuss the information with a licensed lawyer. This way, the victim can learn whether they have a case or not.
Highland Park Personal Injury Lawyers at the Law Offices of Harold J. Gerr Help Clients After They Slip and Fall in Parking Lots
Parking lots can be hazardous around the holidays, which can lead to serious injuries. If you were hurt in a slip and fall accident, contact one of our Highland Park Personal Injury lawyers at the Law Offices of Harold J. Gerr immediately. We help the injured get the compensation they deserve. For a free consultation, contact us online or call us at 732-537-8570. Located in Highland Park, New Jersey, we serve clients throughout New Brunswick, Somerset, Piscataway, Edison, South River, Sayreville, Metuchen, East Brunswick, South Plainfield, Fords, Middlesex, Old Bridge, Iselin, Bound Brook, Perth Amboy, and Colonia.
