Snow and Ice Removal Injuries

In Massachusetts, the winter can be very bitter both in temperature and in temperament. The ice and snow from a New England storm can cause all sorts of snow and ice removal injuries. Even the thawing and refreezing of snow and ice can result in a dangerous situation.  If snow and ice is not removed properly, car accidents, slip and falls, and other serious accidents can occur.

The experienced premise liability lawyers at Burns & Jain help victims of snow and ice removal accidents in personal injury cases.  Call us today to see if we can help you too.

Types of Snow and Ice Removal Accidents

In many cases, accidents that occur on slippery snow and ice are a result of negligence. In an automobile accident, the negligent party could be a driver in another car causing the accident, a company that was supposed to keep the snow and ice removed from the roadways, or someone who was hired to clear snow and ice from a parking lot or parking garage.

Slip and fall accidents can occur when a business owner, business manager, or property owner fails to remove snow and ice from walkways, sidewalks, stairways, and entryways.  Under snow and ice laws in Massachusetts, which are ever evolving, if a property owner and/or manager fails to keep their property safe for guests, patrons, employees, or other visitors, they can be found liable for any injuries that could occur during an accident.  In such cases, an experienced premise liability lawyer or personal injury attorney can help the accident victim receive compensation for any time loss from work, medical bills, pain and suffering and other financial hardships caused by injuries sustained from a snow and ice removal accident.

How Can I Prevent Snow and Ice Injuries When Driving?

There are a few steps that you can take to avoid having a snow and ice removal accidents.  Although, when others are negligent, there is sometimes nothing you can do to avoid an accident, these steps may help prevent one, or at least make it less serious that it could be otherwise.

• Be very careful in traffic when driving in icy conditions; consider not driving.
• Make sure to clear any ice and snow from your vehicle before driving your vehicle.
• Drive slowly when there is snow or ice.
• Follow drivers from a safer distance than normal to allow yourself more room to stop on the ice.
• Steer clear of snowplows, giving them room, and pass them only on the left.
• Be aware of weather, road, and traffic conditions.
• Watch out for black ice, especially on bridges and ramps that often freeze first.

How Can I Prevent Snow and Ice Injuries When Walking?

There steps that you can take to avoid a slip and fall accident as a result of snow and ice.

1. Watch where you are walking; pay attention to where to walk; stick to the sunny side, or the side where there has been some snow and ice removal;
2. Get off your cell phone so you will be able to hear things, see things, and help prevent a fall if you start to slip.
3. Wear proper footgear; and, furthermore, wear proper clothing so you are warm and protected while walking outside in the winter.
4. Walk only in areas designated for walking; drivers of motor vehicles are not always looking, nor can they stop as easily when there are snowy and ice conditions.

If you or someone you love has suffered head injury, burn injury, spinal code injury, or other injury that may be the result of poor or inadequate snow or ice removal call the attorneys at Burns & Jain. They have the experience to get monies for victims of such accidents, and compensation to cover medical bills, loss of time at work, pain and suffering and other financial hardships, and even lost income due to wrongful death. Please call us today for your always free consultation to see if we may be able to help you too.