Please note that this is not legal advice. See our disclaimer.
If you are like most of us, you still have a million things to do to get ready for New Years. There are decorations to buy, and food to pick up. As you hurry to finish all the tasks necessary, you can become more susceptible to personal injury, with your focus on the next item on your list, and not on the negligent or careless acts of others. You might be driving through a parking lot at the mall and fail to see the ice on the pavement. You may come out of a store and not notice the slippery steps or sidewalk. The distractions that come with holiday preparations, combined with the weather conditions that are typical at during the winter, require that you take precautions to minimize your risk of injury.
- Always dress appropriately—You can’t rely on store owners to properly clean off sidewalks, steps, stairways or parking lots. Your safety is more important than a fashion statement. If it’s snowy or icy out, put on a good pair of boots, something that will help you get traction in slippery conditions.
- Slow down—If you push yourself too much and get hurt, you can be assured that you won’t get all your tasks done. Take the time to be safe.
- Break down your list—Don’t try to do everything in one day. Your focus will be better if you divide the list over a number of days.
If you have already suffered an injury in a parking lot or at a store, you want to take immediate steps to protect your interests:
- Get the medical treatment you need—Go to the hospital, if necessary, or schedule to see your personal physician as soon as possible. Make certain that all expenses and all injuries get fully documented.
- Take a picture of the conditions at the time of the accident—If you have a camera on your phone, snap some shots of the scene of the accident. Try to get clear pictures of ice or snow, as well as pictures of any property damage (such as vehicle damage).
- Get the names and phone numbers of any potential witnesses—If someone saw your accident, ask them to provide contact information.
- Contact an experienced personal injury lawyer
Contact the Law Offices of Hornstine Law, LLC
At Hornstine Law, LLC, we have decades of personal injury experience. Our attorneys work with people in Pennsylvania and New Jersey, using our knowledge, skill, experience and resources to help you get the outcome you want. To schedule a free initial consultation, contact our office online or call us at 215-568-4968 (in New Jersey at 609-523-2222).