Slip and fall accidents are quite common. They can also be more serious than some realize. Statistics indicate slip and fall accidents account for approximately 1 million hospital visits in the US every year. These accidents can result in broken bones, head trauma, and similar injuries.
They can also happen virtually anywhere. Thus, you should know what you can do to minimize your chances of being injured in a slip and fall.
Tips to keep in mind include the following:
You’re far more likely to be injured in a slip and fall accident if you’re not paying attention to your surroundings when walking. If you’re looking down at your phone instead of keeping your eyes peeled for hazards you could slip and trip over, you may be harmed unexpectedly.
Minimize the chances of this happening by not checking your phone while you’re still walking. If you need to check your phone, stop and find a safe place where you can stand still to do so.
If you’re going out at night, particularly if you will be visiting another property (such as someone’s home, a store, etc.), make sure you always have access to a small but strong flashlight.
Slip and fall accidents sometimes occur when a property’s outdoor lighting isn’t strong enough to illuminate potential slipping and tripping hazards. If you’re walking back to your car in a dark parking lot, having a flashlight on you can mean the difference between getting to your vehicle safely and being injured.
If your shoes don’t grip the surface on which you are walking properly, your chances of being harmed in a slip and fall accident rise. Whenever you are making footwear choices, consider where you will be walking, and make your choice accordingly.
You can be injured in a slip-and-fall accident on any property. This includes your own. Guard against being involved in an accident at home by removing clutter from the floors. It’s also wise to avoid using cleaning products that can make a floor too slippery to walk on safely.
All that said, even if you generally exercise caution and apply the tips here, it’s possible you might still be injured in a slip and fall accident resulting from the negligence of a property owner.
You may be able to recover compensation for your medical bills, lost wages, and related losses in these circumstances by filing a claim to collect from the negligent party’s insurance.
Strongly consider enlisting the help of a lawyer when doing so. Because an insurer will attempt to avoid paying you what you are owed, you need expert legal representation to optimize your chances of reaching a fair settlement.
That type of representation is precisely what our Philadelphia slip and fall attorneys at Soloff & Zervanos, P.C. offer. Learn more about your case by contacting us online or calling us at 215-732-2260 to schedule a free consultation.