The winter months mean you can finally look forward to a season of seemingly endless ammo for snowball fights, not having to worry about your frozen groceries melting in the trunk, and choosing between sledding or walking downhill. There’ s only one caveat: you have to enjoy all of these while treading through wet and melting snow, ice, and cracked sidewalks due to freezing temperatures.
Slip and fall accidents are the primary cause of injury and disability among people in the United States. According to research from the National Safety Council, over nine million slip and fall accidents come into the emergency room every year, with 17,000 of those people passing away from their injuries.
Unfortunately, injuries from a slip and fall accident are fairly common in cold and icy weather. Most of the time, these slips and fall accidents are completely avoidable – all you have to do is make sure you’re aware of which hazards to watch out for. Failing to do so can leave you vulnerable to the following types of slip and fall injuries:
1. Muscles and Ligament Sprain
2. Compression Bone Fractures
3. Concussion
4. Herniated Disc in Spine
Avoid an unnecessary trip to the doctor’s office this season by familiarizing yourself with the following five hazards to avoid to prevent a slip and fall on ice.
1. Avoid Slippery or Wet Surfaces: Always steer clear of wet and slippery surfaces while walking in cold weather.
2. Use Snow Boots: If you anticipate snow this winter, opt for snow boots in lieu of fancy high-heels or sneakers. Try to walk slowly, flat-footed, and focused on where you are stepping.
3. Avoid Dark Alleys: During the wintertime, frost and other questionable weather can make it difficult to see clearly. Avoid any hazy darkness by installing proper lighting on the pathways where you and others will be walking. Adequate lighting will help illuminate icy areas where slip and fall accidents are waiting to happen.
4. Avoid Carrying Heavy Loads: Avoid carrying heavy loads while walking on ice. If you don’t, you make yourself even more vulnerable than normal to losing your balance and ending up with a nasty slip and fall injury.
5. Avoid Uneven Terrain:Be careful of terrain that is cracked or uneven as those surfaces become even more difficult to walk on when wet or slippery.
Did you or someone you know get injured due to a slip and fall accident? You’ve still come to the right place. Contact our New Jersey personal injury lawyers to schedule a consultation today.