Snow and ice accidents are common in New York City. During the winter months, simply walking down the sidewalk can be dangerous. Read on to learn more about snow & ice accidents in New York.
Who is Responsible for Snow & Ice Accidents?
In New York, property owners are responsible for keeping their properties maintained. This applies to homes, stores, businesses, and municipal buildings. So, if you are walking down the sidewalk in front of an apartment building and you slip on a patch of ice, the building owner may be held responsible for any injuries you incur. It is important to note that after a rain or snowfall event, property owners have a certain amount of time to get their properties cleared of snow and ice. This window of time varies by municipality, so you should contact our firm if you are unsure whether your accident occurred outside of this grace period.
What Do I Do if I Am Injured?
If you are injured due to another party’s negligence, you may be entitled to recover compensation. But, in order to recover compensation, you will have to provide proof that this negligence occurred. To do this, there are a few important steps to take:
- Seek medical attention. While at the hospital, ask your doctor for a copy of any relevant medical documents.
- Document the scene. Before leaving the scene of the accident, make sure to take photos and videos of the hazardous conditions that lead to your accident.
- Gather witness contacts. If anyone saw your accident occur, you should obtain their contact information. They may be able to corroborate your version of events.
- Contact a skilled personal injury attorney. An attorney may be able to obtain further proof including security footage and police reports.
How Long Do I Have to File a Claim?
If you wish to take legal action, you will have to make sure to file your claim on time. This deadline is known as a statute of limitations. In New York, the statute of limitations for a personal injury accident is generally three years. This means that if you fail to file within three years from the date of the accident, you will likely lose your opportunity to recover compensation. To avoid this, reach out to a personal injury attorney as soon as possible.
If you or a loved one has been injured in a slip & fall in New York, contact our firm to speak with an experienced personal injury attorney as soon as possible. Our firm is here to guide you through all of your personal injury matters.
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.
