NYC Slip & Fall Accidents: Guide for Snow & Ice
Slip and fall accidents are common in New York City. This is especially true during the winter months, where there is often snow or ice throughout the city. Unfortunately, slippery winter conditions can result in serious injuries caused by slip and fall accidents. So, what should you do after a slip and fall on snow or ice in NYC?
Injured In A Slip & Fall On Snow Or Ice?
Slip and fall accidents are responsible for over 1 million hospitable visits in the US each year. When these accidents occur, they can cause serious injuries, which can lead to expensive medical bills, lost time at work, physical pain and other unwanted circumstances. While these are all unfortunate scenarios, you do have hope. If you were injured after falling from a slip on snow or ice, you may be able to recover compensation for you injuries and damages.
Under New York City’s Administrative Code, sidewalk maintenance for both private and commercial property, is the explicit responsibility of property owners. We’ve written about this in detail in a previous blog post here. When property owners do not maintain safe conditions (i.e. snowy or icy sidewalks), they can be held responsible for certain injuries that occur under a premises liability case.
4 Things To Do After A New York Slip & Fall
The steps that you take after a slip and fall accident are crucial to building a case. If you’ve been injured, you should take the following steps to improve your chances of recovering your health and obtaining compensation for your injuries.
1.) Seek Medical Attention
Your number one priority after a slip and fall should be your health. It is important to seek medical attention for any injuries that may have occurred. Even if you do not believe you were injured, you should seek medical attention, as many injuries are not immediately apparent and could surface several weeks or even months later. It is also important to retain a record of any medical documents associated with your slip and fall accident as these documents may come into play during a personal injury lawsuit.
2.) Report The Accident
After seeking appropriate medical attention, you should report the accident. If you slipped outside of a place of business you should notify the manager of your fall and request that a report be made. Likewise, if you slipped in front of a private property, you should notify the landlord or property owner of your accident and request that a report be made.
3.) Obtain Documentation of The Accident
It is important to collect all documentation and information that is relevant to your slip and fall accident. As mentioned before, you should collect a copy of all medical records, as well as a copy of any accident reports made. Additionally, it is recommended to take photos of the scene and collect contact information for any witnesses if possible.
4.) Contact A Slip & Fall Attorney
You should always contact an experienced slip and fall attorney after an accident. To successfully recover compensation for your injuries you will need to prove negligence on the part of the property owner or responsible party. Check out a previous post on negligence and premises liability is slip and fall accidents here. Even in scenarios where it seems obvious that the negligence of others caused your accident, it can be difficult to prove in a lawsuit. However, an experienced attorney will help you formulate a case and take the correct steps after an accident to maximize your chances of recovering the money that you deserve.
Contact A New York City Slip & Fall Lawyer
Have you been injured in a New York slip and fall? You could be entitled to compensation for your injuries. It is important to contact an experienced slip and fall accident lawyer who is familiar with New York City law. The attorneys of Lipsig Law Firm have helped many slip and fall accident victims to recover compensation in the past. We have recovered over $800 Million dollars for our clients over the years and are prepared to represent injured victims. Contact us today for a free consultation on your legal rights!
