Slip and Fall on Black Ice in a Store Parking Lot- Can I Sue?
Slip and Fall Accidents Overview
As the weather gets colder and snow and ice begin to cover the roads and parking lots, you will notice more slippery of conditions. You probably take great care to remove slippery conditions from your own driveway and walkways to avoid a fall. But, what happens when you are visiting a local store and you suffer injuries from a slip and fall?
Important Steps to Take Following a Slip and Fall
You didn’t notice the black ice when you stepped out of your car and within seconds, you fell on your back. Now what? Who is responsible for your injury? Who will cover your medical expenses? What steps do you need to take to ensure that your rights are protected? If you are injured in a black ice slip and fall, make sure you follow these important steps:
- Receive medical assistance: Fortunately, if you are in a public parking lot, there will likely be someone around to call for medical help. Avoid turning down the medical assistance, even if you feel okay. It is possible that the adrenaline of falling is covering up significant injuries. Additionally, if you do notice any pain later, it will be difficult to connect it to the fall.
- Document the process: Make sure you document all of the steps you take following the accident. Keep any medical documents, ask for contact information of any witnesses, and if possible, take photographs or video evidence of the driveway or parking lot that caused you to fall.
- Notify the property: It can also be useful to notify the property owner of the dangerous condition. Not only does this inform them that you were injured on their property, but it gives them the chance to correct the problem so that no one else suffers injuries.
- Contact a personal injury lawyer: Depending on the extent of your injuries, it may make sense to discuss the details of your case with a personal injury lawyer.
Why Consult with a Slip and Fall Lawyer About Your Union County Case
In most cases, you will need to demonstrate negligence in a slip and fall case. This involves elements like:
- Duty of care: The property owner must have held a legal duty of care for your safety and wellbeing.
- Breach of duty: The property owner’s actions must have breached that legal duty of care.
- Causation: This is a direct connection between the injuries and the accident. It must be clear that the accident is what led to the injuries.
- Actual damages: We must also identify not only that you experienced injuries, but that they are significant enough to be compensated. A slip and fall accident can lead to medical costs, time off work, property damage, and even pain and suffering.
At Birkhold & Maider, LLC we will fight hard to uncover the details of your case. We will identify who is at fault and work to get you the compensation that you deserve for your slip and fall accident.
Contact a Union County Personal Injury Lawyer to Discuss Your Slip and Fall Case in New Jersey New Jersey?
Don’t let the medical bills pile up while you wait for the negligent party or their insurance company to do the right thing. Right now, you need an aggressive personal injury attorney on your side, fighting to get you the compensation you need, want, and deserve. The skilled attorneys at Birkhold & Maider, LLC represent clients injured because of a slip and fall in Essex County, Hudson County, Mercer County, Union County, and throughout New Jersey. Call 973-784-8583 or fill out our online contact form to schedule a consultation about your case. We have an office conveniently located at 189 Franklin Avenue, Suite #1, Nutley, NJ 07110, as well as an office in Hamilton.
The articles on this blog are for informative purposes only and are no substitute for legal advice or an attorney-client relationship. If you are seeking legal advice, please contact our law firm directly.