Winter Weather Safety Tips: How to Avoid Slip and Fall Accidents

Winter weather often brings its share of rain, sleet, ice, and snow, making the roadways more hazardous for motorists. The change in season can also present a potential danger to pedestrians, who may be at risk for slip and fall accidents caused by icy conditions.

Even if you live in a region where snow and ice are infrequent during the winter months, you may still be at risk for being injured in a slip and fall accident. These types of accidents cost their victims and their families billions of dollars in healthcare costs each year. When navigating through winter weather on foot, pedestrians need to keep these simple safety tips in mind to avoid a costly and potentially life-threatening injury.

1. Utilize sidewalks whenever possible. If you’re walking on a roadway where there is no sidewalk, remember to walk against the flow of traffic and stay as close to the shoulder as possible. Avoid walking directly in the roadway whenever possible and always use extra caution when crossing the street.
2. Wear rubber-soled shoes that make good contact with the ground surface. Wear clothing that doesn’t restrict your vision so you can easily spot potential hazards.
3. Take smaller steps and walk at a slower pace. Attempting to rush or taking longer strides may cause you to lose your footing and result in an accident.
4. Use handrails whenever possible, particularly when going up or down stairs. Holding onto the handrail may not always prevent a slip and fall accident, but it may help minimize your injuries if you lose your footing.
5. Pay attention to where you’re walking. Snow and ice can easily disguise potholes, cracks, raised pavement or other obstacles that could potentially cause you to become injured.

According to the Centers for Disease Control, slip and fall accidents cause approximately 300,000 injuries and 20,000 deaths annually. This type of accident can lead to a wide range of injuries, including severe bruising, fractured or broken bones, muscle or ligament damage or internal injuries. Slip and fall accidents can also lead to traumatic brain injuries, which can prove fatal.

Property owners are responsible for ensuring that their premises are safe for pedestrians at all times, particularly during the winter months when sidewalks and roadways can become more hazardous. If you or a loved one was injured in a slip and fall accident on someone else’s property, they may be held responsible for your injuries if they did not act reasonably to prevent them. An experienced personal injury lawyer can guide you in determining whether you have legal grounds for a liability claim.

Nadrich & Cohen Accident Injury Lawyers specializes in representing slip and fall accident victims throughout California. Help is available 24 hours a day by calling 1-800-718-4658. Initial case evaluations are free of charge and there is never a fee unless a settlement is recovered on your behalf.