New York is currently covered under a blanket of snow. Unfortunately, this means a lot of shoveling. It also means a lot of snow & ice accidents. Snow & ice accidents are common and can result in serious injury. Read on to learn more about snow & ice accidents in New York.
Where do Snow & Ice Accidents Occur?
These accidents can occur anywhere slippery. But, some specific places to watch out for include:
- Sidewalks
- Parking lots
- Stairways
Who is Responsible for a Snow & Ice Accident?
In New York, property owners are responsible for keeping their properties maintained. This applies to homes, businesses, stores, and municipal properties. For example, if a store owner fails to salt the steps to his or her property and you are injured walking into the story, the owner may be held responsible. It is important to note that property owners are given a certain grace period during which they must clean their properties of snow & ice after a rain or snowfall event. This window of time differs by municipality, so contact our firm to determine whether your accident occurred during this window.
Fulfilling the Burden of Proof
If you are injured due to another party’s negligence, you will have to provide proof of this negligence. To do this, you should:
- Seek medical attention
- It is important to visit the hospital, your doctor, or an urgent care clinic in the event of an injury. This allows you to ensure your injuries are treated while simultaneously documenting their origin and extent. Make sure to ask for a copy of any relevant medical documents.
- Document the scene
- Taking photos and videos is one of the most important things you can do when it comes to a personal injury case.
- Gather contact information
- If anyone witnessed your accident occur, you should ask for their contact information so they can provide witness testimony.
- Retain the help of a skilled personal injury attorney
- A personal injury attorney may be able to obtain further evidence, including security camera 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 personal injury claim on time. This deadline is known as a statute of limitations. In New York, the statute of limitations for a personal injury claim is generally three years. This means that if you fail to file within three years from the date of the accident, you may lose your opportunity to recover the com
CONTACT OUR EXPERIENCED WESTCHESTER COUNTY FIRM
Hausman & Pendzick effectively represent victims of negligence in Westchester County and across the state of New York. We understand how challenging life can be without financial compensation for serious injuries you have wrongly sustained. If you need a knowledgeable and skilled personal injury attorney to help you recover compensation after an accident, contact Hausman & Pendzick today.