Snow & Ice Accidents

New York City Snow & Ice Accident Attorney

central-park-142894_1280-1024x768Protecting victims in NYC of slip and falls after their accidents

The walking surfaces of our communities are riddled with hazards that have the potential to hurt us. Property owners have the responsibility to reasonably maintain their walking surfaces in safe condition. Snow and ice are some of the most dangerous factors leading to serious injuries suffered by pedestrians. Falls caused by snow or ice can cause concussions, broken bones, spine damage, and many other serious injuries. According to the laws of New York, a property owner has a certain period of time after a storm concludes to clear their walking services of snow and ice, including the adjacent sidewalk. If a property owner fails to properly clear the snow and ice and you are injured as a result, you might be entitled to recover damages that would compensate for your pain and suffering, pay medical bills and reimburse lost earnings. If you or someone you know was injured as a result of a snow and ice condition, you should seek counsel from an experienced New York personal injury attorney. Contact the Law Offices of Jonathan D. Sands for a free consultation today.

After a slip and fall

If you are injured because of a slip and fall on snow or ice, seek medical attention. Your injury and other details, such as where the accident occurred and its cause, will be documented in the medical records. If you are able, photograph the condition that caused your accident and take a photograph showing the general area to aid in identifying it in the future. You have the burden to prove that there was a dangerous condition that caused your injury and that the property owner’s negligence permitted the condition to be present or caused the condition. Snow and ice conditions can change by the minute. If you are unable to photograph the area yourself, try to have someone take photographs for you

Laws about snow and ice removal

Property owners are given a certain amount of time to clear walking surfaces of snow and ice after a storm’s conclusion. Commercial, private, and municipal property owners are responsible for the surfaces of the adjacent sidewalks. The time allotted for removal of weather hazards depends on the local law for where the property is located. Furthermore, the snow and ice removal must be done in a way that does not create a more dangerous condition. However, if your accident occurs during a storm, you will not be able to recover for your injuries unless the landowner did something to make the condition even more dangerous. If the sidewalk is the responsibility of a municipality, you must file a Notice of Claim within 90 days of the accident and start a lawsuit within 1 year and 90 days of the accident. For private landowners, no Notice of Claim is required and you have three years to commence your lawsuit.

Contact a Westchester County attorney after your slip and fall

The injuries resulting from a fall caused by snow and ice can be quite serious, and in some instances, life-threatening. These are difficult cases and you should consult with an experienced personal injury attorney as soon as possible. A thorough investigation is absolutely necessary in these cases as is the obtaining of certified meteorological records and possibly the retention of an expert meteorologist. Professional engineering experts may also be necessary. Please contact our office to discuss your case.