With the winter season approaching, it is important to start being cautious of snow and ice once again. These weather conditions can, unfortunately, cause serious accidents. These accidents can be severe, causing significant injuries that lead to physical, emotional, and financial suffering. While they can sometimes be avoided, other accidents are sometimes caused due to the negligence of others. When this happens, the injured party may be able to recover compensation as a result. If you or someone you know was injured in a snow or ice accident, it is important to discuss your case with an experienced personal injury attorney.
Common Causes of Snow and Ice Accidents
There are a variety of circumstances that can cause a snow or ice accident. Some of the most common causes can include the following:
- Walkways left uncleared past the legally acceptable window of time
- Failure to properly salt steps and walkways
- Icy handrails
- Failure to remove any hanging icicles
- Leaks left unaddressed
Who is Liable?
All property owners have a legal obligation to keep their property safe. This includes removing snow and ice from the sidewalk adjoining their property within the time period allotted by the state. In Pennsylvania, property owners have 24 hours after the snow stops falling to make the dangerous condition safe or provide a warning. If they failed to do so and a person becomes injured after this window of time as a result, the individual may be able to hold the property owner liable for their injuries.
Recovering Compensation
After establishing liability, an injured person may want to seek compensation through a personal injury lawsuit. In doing so, they are required to prove that they were injured as a direct result of the property owner’s negligence. This can be difficult to do, which is why it is crucial to retain the services of an experienced attorney for assistance.
Statute of Limitations
While it is understandable that a person may hesitate before filing a personal injury claim, it is important to not wait too long to do so. This is because there is a statute of limitations on filing a claim. A statute of limitations is a deadline in which an injured person must meet in order to pursue legal action, otherwise, they may no longer do so. In Pennsylvania, the statute of limitations for personal injury cases is two years from the date of the injury.
Contact our Firm
Friedman Schuman is an experienced and dedicated legal resource for clients throughout Pennsylvania. We proudly serve clients facing a wide range of legal matters. If you require the services of an effective attorney, please contact Friedman Schuman today to schedule a consultation.
