Among all the different types of personal injury lawsuits that take place here in the United States, one of the most common involve slip and fall accidents. A primary reason for the frequency of slip and fall accidents is the broad range of potential circumstances that can cause them. This season, outdoor slip and fall accidents are more common than most, perhaps due to the increase of snow, ice, wet conditions, and seasonal premise neglect. Those on foot, such as pedestrians and children, are prone to slipping or tripping on icy sidewalks, wet pavement, slippery steps, crumbling curbs, and similar outside seasonal circumstances.

Fortunately, anyone hurt in a slip and fall accident indoors or outdoors typically has some legal recourse for recovering compensation.

Continue reading for some tips that will help you achieve this goal, as well as, where to learn more about your rights to compensation after being injured in a slip and fall accident on someone else’s property.

Outdoor Slip and Fall Hazards

An obvious culprit behind slip and fall accidents is ice, but ultimately, moisture is the umbrella cause of hazardous outdoor conditions in the winter. Moisture can include rain, hail, snow, and of course, ice. Since moisture causes wetness, it promotes slippery surfaces, poor traction, and ice accumulation, all of which can cause a person to lose their balance and fall. Moisture can also cause freeze thaw cycles that lead to cracked and crumbling pavements, such as stairs, curbs, sidewalks, and more, which are hazardous to anyone on foot or bike.

Bridges and Overpasses

Pedestrian bridges and overpasses are another common slip and fall hazard in winter since the circulation of air around the bridge promotes exponential ice accumulation, and therefore extremely slippery conditions.

Rooftop Drip Lines

Another area to look out for during snowy times are rooftops and roof drip lines. Heavy snow accumulation can melt and drip water off of the edges of roofing, and thus create a very icy drip line. The same heavy snow accumulation on roofs can freeze and clog downspouts and gutters, also posing several types of slip and fall hazards for pedestrians, store customers, employees, guests, and more.

Parking Lots

Poorly maintained parking lots are another common wintertime hazard. When parking lots contain potholes, improper sloping, or poor water drainage schematics, icy puddles can develop and lead to all sorts of slip and fall accidents and injuries.

Poor Lighting

Aside from snow and ice, a year-round outdoor slip and fall hazard is poor lighting. Parking garages, parking lots, and similar areas might not be well maintained by the property owner, and provide poor lighting for pedestrians. For instance, a person might not be able to see a railing or a step well enough, and as a result lose their balance and fall.

Inadequate Snow Removal

Heavy accumulations and piles of snow around walkways, doorways, stairways, and entryways can pose a high risk of slip and fall injuries. When property owners, whether residential or commercial, fail to take reasonable actions to remove heavy snow accumulation from the public access areas of their property, they can be held liable for any slip and fall accidents and injuries that are caused by their negligence.

Injured in a Slip and Fall Accident?

When a slip and fall accident happens to an innocent person because someone else was careless, it is important for the negligent party to be held accountable for the victim’s injuries and subsequent losses. A personal injury lawyer can help slip and fall victims accomplish this goal by recovering the full and fair compensation necessary to cover hospital bills, medical expenses, lost wages, pain, suffering, and more.

Seasoned Indianapolis Slip and Fall Attorneys

Call Craven, Hoover, and Blazek P.C. at 317-881-2700 to speak with an experienced slip and fall lawyer in Central Indiana. Our seasoned personal injury attorneys retain extensive experience working with slip and fall claims, and will work diligently to recover the full and fair compensation you deserve. We offer free initial consultations and never collect lawyer fees unless we prevail for you. Call 317-881-2700 to get started, today.  We are located in Indianapolis, Indiana and represent clients throughout the State of Indiana.