In addition to the discomfort that cold temperatures and shorter days bring, winter in New York City creates dangerous conditions that significantly increase the risk of slip-and-fall or trip-and-fall accidents. With millions of pedestrians navigating sidewalks, subway entrances, stairways and walkways, these winter hazards can lead to serious injuries. Below are four major winter weather hazards in New York City that commonly cause slip-and-fall or trip-and-fall accidents.
1. Snow and Ice Accumulation on Sidewalks and Walkways
One of the most common and dangerous winter hazards in New York City is the buildup of snow and ice on sidewalks, building entrances and walkways. Sidewalks can quickly become slippery if snow is not promptly removed. When snow is compacted by foot traffic, it often turns into ice, creating a slick surface that is difficult to walk on safely.
In New York City, property owners and property managers maybe legally responsible for clearing snow and ice from the sidewalks in front of their buildings within a certain timeframe after a snowfall. However, delays in snow removal, improper shoveling or incomplete clearing, can still create dangerous conditions. This hazard is particularly dangerous near high-traffic areas such as apartment entrances, office buildings, schools and retail stores, etc. A slip-and-fall accident in such cases can lead to broken bones, sprains, head injuries or back injuries for victims.
2. Freezing Rain and Black Ice
Freezing rain is another serious winter weather hazard that frequently results in slip-and-fall accidents in New York City. When rain falls on surfaces that are already below freezing, it forms a thin, transparent layer of ice known as black ice. Black ice is especially dangerous because it is nearly invisible, blending in with dark pavement or concrete.
Black ice commonly forms on sidewalks, parking lots, curb ramps, stairways and bridges. In the city, it is often found near subway entrances, bus stops and street corners where water collects and refreezes. Because pedestrians cannot easily see the black ice, there is a greater risk of them slipping.
3. Slush and Refreezing Conditions
This is another major winter hazard that contributes to slip-and-fall accidents in New York City. Slush forms when snow partially melts due to daytime temperatures, sunlight or vehicle traffic. While slushy surfaces are already unstable, they become even more dangerous when temperatures drop again and the slush refreezes into uneven ice.
In NYC, slush frequently accumulates at crosswalks, curb cuts, bus stops and near storm drains. These conditions are especially hazardous for older adults, children and people with mobility challenges. Uneven ice can cause not only slips but also trips, as pedestrians may catch their foot on frozen ridges or hardened slush piles. Falls caused by refrozen slush often result in serious injuries due to the unpredictability of the surface.
4. Hidden Obstacles and Uneven Surfaces Covered by Snow
Another major winter hazard in New York City is snow-covered obstacles that create trip-and-fall risks. When snow blankets sidewalks and walkways, it can hide uneven pavement, potholes, broken concrete, curb edges and other hazards that are normally visible. Pedestrians may assume the surface beneath the snow is level, only to trip unexpectedly.
This is especially common in older parts of the city where sidewalks may already be cracked or uneven. Snowbanks created by plows can also force pedestrians to walk in narrow or unfamiliar paths, increasing the chance of tripping. Additionally, snow-covered stairs, ramps and handrails can make maintaining balance more difficult.
Contacting an Experienced Lawyer
If you were involved in a slip-and-fall or a trip-and-fall accident as a result of someone else’s negligence (carelessness), please remember that you have rights. Some of the damages that victims of such accidents can claim include, but are not limited to, medical expenses, loss of wages and benefits, cost of hospitalization, surgery, physical therapy, past and future pain and suffering, permanent injury, etc.
For over 54 years, the experienced New York personal injury attorneys with the Law Offices of Kenneth A. Wilhelm have established a proven track record of helping injured victims. Our skilled attorneys can help you better understand your legal rights and options and will fight hard to recover compensation for you. It is in the best interest of injured victims and their families in such cases to contact an experienced personal injury lawyer before contacting the people responsible for the injuries, and definitely before contacting or communicating with any insurance company, or their lawyers, investigators, or adjusters.
Our law firm recovered $1,700,000 for a woman who slipped and fell and received no hospital or medical treatment for one month after the accident. Our law firm recently recovered $5,600,000 for a bicyclist who was hit by a van, and $2,550,000 for another victim of a truck accident, and $3,000,000 for a pedestrian who was hit by a car, and $2,000,000 in a hit-and-run accident, and the full $1,000,000 insurance policy for a pedestrian who was hit by a truck, and $4,625,000 for a driver who was in a car and was hit by a van, and $2,500,000 for a man who fell through an improperly secured hole. We also recovered $1,500,000 for a lady who was hurt by a bus.
We also obtained $295,000 out of a $300,000 insurance policy in compensation for the victim of a bicycle dooring accident (where a car door opens into the path of a bicyclist). One of our clients obtained a verdict for $43,940,000 and another of our clients got a verdict for $23,500,000, both in medical malpractice cases. Also, we got a $1,400,000 verdict in a motorcycle accident.
Please contact us TOLL FREE 24 hours a day, 7 days a week at 1-800-WORK-4-YOU (1-800-967-5496). WE CAN EVEN COME TO YOU. There is no attorneys‘ fee unless we recover money for you. We can also help with personal injury, lead poisoning, paraplegia cases and medical malpractice cases including, brachial plexus palsy (Erb’s palsy) and cerebral palsy cases in New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, Pennsylvania, or Florida. If you have been seriously injured in any of the 50 U.S. states, please call us and we will try to help you with your case.
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1-800-RADIO-LAW, 1-888-WYPADEK, OR 1-800-LAS-LEYES
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