New Jersey winters can be filled with snow and ice. When there are cold temperatures, it also means there could be black ice. When clear ice freezes on the sidewalks or roads, it can make it difficult to avoid. Black ice is responsible for a number of accidents each year, including slip and fall accidents.
Who’s responsible when you slip and fall on black ice? Keep reading to find out.
Property Owners May Be At Fault
Property owners are expected to maintain their property for the safety of others. This is especially true with commercial businesses that welcome guests onto their property during the winter season. This includes promptly removing snow and salting walkways. It also means looking out for dangerous conditions, such as black ice.
Slipping and falling on black ice doesn’t always mean the property owner is responsible. In order for them to be responsible, it must be proven that the owner knew about the ice. This may be that they saw it themselves or that someone told them about it. The owner may be responsible if the black ice had been there for a long time, implying that they should have known about it.
A property owner may also be to blame if they create a dangerous situation themselves. This could result from hosing down a walkway or driveway in freezing cold temperatures.
How To Avoid A Black Ice Accident This Winter
It’s not always easy to prevent a black ice accident, especially since the clear coloring makes it hard to find. Here are a few tips that can help you avoid a black ice accident this winter:
- Stay alert, and look for areas that could contain black ice
- Wear shoes or boots with good traction in the soles
- Use handrails when they’re available
- Be careful when getting in and out of cars
- Wipe your feet or stomp off snow and ice frequently
Sometimes, even with the best prevention, a slip-and-fall accident is possible. The steps you take following the accident may protect you and your legal rights. Always receive medical care following any slip and fall accident. Take note of the dangerous situation. Capture a few photographs of the slippery area, or ask a nearby person if you’re unable. Notify the property owner of the slippery conditions as soon as possible. This alerts them to the situation and gives them the chance to fix it, so other property visitors aren’t injured.
When To Contact A Little Falls Personal Injury Lawyer For A Black Ice Slip And Fall Accident
Reaching out to a personal injury lawyer may be worth it if you sustain a lot of damage in an accident. A few damages you may suffer in a slip and fall accident include medical bills, lost wages, property damages, and pain and suffering. It’s not always easy to identify fault when a slip and fall accident occurs from black ice. It’s likely that the property owner will argue that they weren’t aware of the ice. If you have evidence that proves otherwise and that the situation could have been prevented, then the property owner may be at fault.
Contact a Little Falls Personal Injury Lawyer to Discuss Your Slip and Fall Case in New Jersey
Did you or a loved one sustain serious injuries due to a slip and fall in New Jersey? Don’t let the medical bills pile up while you wait for the negligent party or their insurance company to do the right thing. Right now, you need an aggressive personal injury attorney on your side, fighting to get you the compensation you need, want, and deserve. The skilled attorneys at Camili & Capo, PA represent clients injured because of a slip and fall in Little Falls, North Caldwell, Cedar Grove, Woodland Park, and throughout New Jersey. Call (973) 834-8457 or fill out our online contact form to schedule a free consultation about your case. We have an office conveniently located at 1 Lower Notch Road, Little Falls, NJ 07424, as well as offices in Hackensack, Newark, and New Brunswick, NJ.
The articles on this blog are for informative purposes only and are no substitute for legal advice or an attorney-client relationship. If you are seeking legal advice, please contact our law firm directly.
