Winter brings steaming hot chocolate, time with your family, and maybe even some vacation time from work. But it also brings snow, black ice, and other inclement weather, which can affect your daily life. When you get injured in a winter weather-related accident, you may be unsure of how you may pay medical bills or support your family. Our South Jordan personal injury attorneys explain what to do if you are injured in an accident this winter.
Car Accidents
If you are inexperienced in driving during winter weather conditions, the most important thing you can do is give the other cars around you space. In the unfortunate event of if one car hits black ice or loses traction, a car wreck can occur.
Inclement Weather
In wintertime, snow and freezing rain are abundant. If you are driving and hit some inclement weather, pull over if possible or slow down. Improper safety precautions can put you at risk of accident and injury, so it is best to stay alert and follow speed limits, brake early, and if you feel unsafe, don’t drive at all.
Inclement weather can cause car accidents by inexperienced drivers or those who were unaware of the conditions. If you are in a car accident as a result of inclement weather and sustain an injury, you may be able to seek damages if your vehicle or person was hit; however, winter weather may not be your only claim. You may need to prove the other party was negligent in pursuing a personal injury claim.
Instances in which you may be able to pursue damages for an injury sustained during winter weather include:
- An additional car hits yours following an accident,
- A vehicle hits you as a result of the driver being under the influence, or
- The driver of the vehicle was negligent and acting with risky behaviors such as texting while driving, not using windshield wipers or headlights, or distracted driving.
Inadequate Distance Between Cars
When driving in snow and icy conditions, brake early and brake slow. This can help limit if your car will slide and possibly could prevent a car accident from happening. But even if you brake early and slow, that doesn’t mean that the cars around you will too. If a car behind you is following too closely, they may be unable to stop in time and could hit you.
In the event of a car accident resulting from the inadequate distance between cars, pull over if possible and call 911. If safe, you can exit your vehicle and speak with the other driver, exchanging license and insurance information. You can also take photos for your insurance company. Wait for the local authorities to reach you and answer their questions truthfully.
If you are offered medical attention, do not refuse it. If you refuse medical treatment and later recognize injuries resulting from the accident, it may hurt your case if you pursue the driver at fault because you were “uninjured” at the time. The driver at fault may be liable for your injuries, so if you believe that you were injured as a result of this accident, call a personal injury attorney.
Slip and Fall Accidents
Snowy or icy weather can cause slick sidewalks and driveways and can be dangerous if you fall. When walking on slick surfaces, walk slowly and if you feel unbalanced, walk with your knees bent and arms out. However, slips and falls are not entirely preventable, and you may fall if a driveway or sidewalk is severely untreated.
If you slip, fall, and sustain injuries, the party responsible for the area may be held liable for your injuries. Slips and falls do not have to be isolated to icy roadways; they can occur from melted snow and puddles inside homes or businesses that should have been mopped up. Like with a car accident, if you are injured in a slip and fall, document it immediately and get medical attention. This can help support your case against the responsible party.
South Jordan Personal Injury Attorneys
If you are the victim of an accident this winter, call our personal injury attorneys at Carr | Woodall to schedule an initial consultation. Our personal injury attorneys can help you piece together how your accident occurred and will help you hold those responsible liable.
Call our South Jordan personal injury attorneys today at (801) 988-9400 to schedule an initial consultation and learn how we can represent you.