Snow and ice can present significant hazards to residents in and around Philadelphia. Most people think of snow and ice as being particularly dangerous for vehicles, but the reality is that they can also cause severe injuries in a slip and fall accident. At the Dan Doyle Law Group, our knowledgeable team is here to help if you need a premises liability attorney. We will investigate every aspect of your claim so we can obtain any compensation you may be entitled to.

Philadelphia property owner responsibility for snow and ice

Residents and business owners in and around Philadelphia are no strangers to cold weather. As soon as the temperature drops below freezing, dangerous conditions can develop on the roadways and sidewalks throughout the city. Even just a few snowflakes or freezing rain can lead to extremely dangerous slip and fall conditions.

At the Dan Doyle Law Group, we know that property owners have a duty to ensure the safety of any person who has the right to be on their premises, including workers, residents, and other patrons. This includes being aware of any particularly dangerous slippery conditions caused by ice or snow. Slip and fall accidents during the wintertime can lead to severe injuries, and it is not uncommon for our attorneys to help clients who have sustained the following:

Each of these slip and fall injuries can lead to a victim incurring significant medical bills, lost wages, in various other out-of-pocket expenses.

When we conduct investigations into the cause of these incidents, our Philadelphia snow and ice slip and fall accident lawyers often discover that the negligence of a property owner is to blame. We do not expect property owners to stand outside in a snow or ice storm to prevent a buildup of dangerous conditions. However, property owners should inspect the premises as soon as reasonably possible and remove or remediate any slip and fall hazards. If a property owner is unable to remove a hazard quickly, they should place adequate warning signs around the dangerous area to let others know to stay away.

What To Do After A Philadelphia Snow And Ice Accident

If you’re injured on someone else’s property as a result of slipping on snow or ice, it’s important to take these steps in the immediate aftermath:

  • Make sure you don’t need urgent medical care
  • Report the accident to the property owner
  • Take pictures of the accident scene
  • Take pictures of your injuries
  • Identify any witnesses and get their names and contact information
  • See a doctor right away

That last point is vital. While you may not think you’ve been seriously injured, you MUST seek medical attention the day of your accident.

There are two main reasons doing so is critical. First, the fact that you don’t notice any signs of injury doesn’t mean you’re actually unharmed. When accidents occur, victims often experience a surge of adrenaline. This surge can prevent them from noticing the signs of injury. Additionally, an injury like a concussion might not be noticeable until hours or even days after said injury was sustained.

You’ll recover from your injuries more smoothly if you receive necessary treatment sooner rather than later. Thus, it’s important to err on the side of caution and allow a physician to evaluate you after your accident.

Additionally, if you file a claim to seek compensation after an accident, an insurance company may attempt to find reasons to justify denying your claim. One argument they might use is that you haven’t established a clear link between your injuries and the accident in question. However, they’ll be unable to use this argument if you saw a doctor in the immediate aftermath of your slip and fall.

How A Philadelphia Snow And Ice Accident Attorney Can Help

The above example highlights one of the many ways an insurance company might try to avoid paying you the compensation you deserve when you file a claim. Quite simply, insurance companies are businesses, and thus aren’t inclined to offer fair compensation to claimants in these circumstances.

It’s wise to hire a lawyer to fight on your behalf when taking legal action. A Philadelphia snow and ice accident attorney can boost your odds of receiving the compensation you deserve by:

  • Investigating your accident to gather evidence showing you were injured because a property owner was unreasonably negligent
  • Adding up your medical bills, lost wages, and other such compensable losses (which may include such non-economic damages as pain and suffering) to calculate the approximate value of your claim
  • Filing your claim, corresponding with insurance adjusters, and generally handling all administrative tasks while you focus on your recovery
  • Entering into negotiations with the insurance company if their initial settlement offers are too low
  • Determining if it’s necessary to go to trial if the insurance company refuses to make an appropriate offer
  • Answering any questions you may have about your case’s progress

Call our snow and ice fall lawyers for a free consultation

If you or somebody you love has been injured in a slip and fall accident caused by snow or ice, you may be able to secure compensation from a negligent property owner. At the Dan Doyle Law Group, our qualified and experienced team will investigate every aspect of your case so we can obtain any compensation you are entitled to. This can include:

  • Full coverage of medical bills related to the incident
  • Lost income if you cannot work
  • General household out-of-pocket expenses
  • Loss of quality of life damages
  • Pain and suffering damages

When you need a Philadelphia snow and ice accident attorney, you can contact us for a free consultation of your case.

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