New Yorkers walk everywhere. NYC sidewalks and storefronts are busy year-round, but in the winter, tourists come from all over to see the city in its holiday glory. With cold temperatures comes snow and ice— dangerous conditions to combine with crowded sidewalks. Read more to learn about snow & ice accidents in NYC and what to do in the event of an injury this winter.
Where do Snow & Ice Accidents Occur?
Snow and ice accidents can occur on any slippery surface! Some specific places to watch out for include sidewalks, stairways, and parking lots.
Who is Responsible for my Injury?
In New York City, property owners are legally responsible for keeping their properties safe. This applies to residents, stores, companies, and municipal properties. If you slip and injure yourself on the sidewalk in front of an apartment building, the building owner may be held responsible for your injury, though this is not a given. Property owners must clear their properties of snow and ice within a certain amount of time after a snow or rainfall event. This window of time varies by municipality. If you are unsure whether your accident occurred outside the designated window of time, reach out to our firm to discuss your case.
What do I do if I am Injured in a Snow & Ice Accident?
If you are injured in a snow and ice accident, and you wish to take legal action, there are two important things to do.
- Fulfilling the burden of proof
- If you are injured and wish to take legal action, it is important to provide proof. This proof can include taking photos of the hazardous conditions that caused your accident, obtaining the contact information of anyone who may have witnessed your accident, and providing medical documentation. It is important to seek medical attention. This will allow you to properly tend to your injury while also providing documentation of the accident.
- Reach out to an attorney
- In order to recover the compensation you deserve, you will need a skilled legal team on your side. If you are injured due to another party’s negligence, you deserve compensation for the emotional, physical, mental, and financial burden your injury takes. It can be hard to take legal action while you are recovering from a serious accident, so it is important to put your case in the hands of a law firm you trust.
Contact our Firm
The Law Offices of George Poulos is an experienced Workers’ Compensation, personal injury, and Social Security Disability law firm with offices in Queens and the Bronx. We understand the implications of a serious accident, which is why we take pride in tenaciously representing our clients. If you require strong legal representation, contact our firm today to schedule a free consultation.