As beautiful as it may appear, snow and ice can cause a variety of hazards. In extreme weather conditions, accidents are more likely to happen. Snow and ice make driving more challenging due to decreased visibility, less friction, and difficulty maneuvering. Such weather conditions have been proven to cause more accidents. Every year, 24% of weather-related vehicle accidents occur on snowy, slushy, or icy pavements and 15% during snowfall or sleet.
Pennsylvania and New Jersey get a fair share of winter months where deadly snow and ice accidents occur. In fact, Pennsylvania is among the top deadliest states for winter crashes. According to the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration, snow and ice accidents happen due to the following:
- Poor visibility due to heavy snow, sleet, rain, or fog.
- Slippery conditions due to black ice.
- Inadequate vehicle maintenance includes bad defroster fans, severely worn tires, and worn windshield wipers.
- Snow from a negligent driver’s vehicle flying off and hitting another vehicle.
The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation recommends that people should avoid traveling unnecessarily during bad winter weather. However, no one anticipates an accident. Victims of snow and ice accidents suffer from serious injuries, loss of income, and loss of a loved one.
Snow and ice accidents are not limited to vehicle accidents. If you slip, trip, and fall on a sidewalk or someone’s driveway, you are eligible for a personal injury claim.
What should you do if you are involved in a snow and ice accident?
- The most important thing is your well-being. Be sure to seek medical attention first.
- Record the hazardous conditions that caused the snow and ice accident.
- Collect important information, such as the contact details of any witness.
- Reach out to a professional at KapLaw as soon as you can. This is vital because we need to ensure that you file your claim on time and have all necessary records to provide evidence of the incident.
Who is liable for a snow and ice accident?
Property owners in Pennsylvania and New Jersey are responsible for maintaining their property. This means that business owners, homeowners, and the municipal are liable for any snow and ice accidents that happen on their property. Property owners must clear their properties of snow and ice after a snow or rainfall event within a specific period. Failure to maintain the property may lead to snow and ice accidents such as trips, falls, and car accidents. As such, property owners may be responsible for any injuries you sustain on their property.
KapLaw specializes in snow and ice accident compensation claims. We have a dedicated team of experienced experts ready to defend your rights. We are not intimidated by big corporations and insurance companies. KapLaw works tirelessly to fight for the maximum compensation that you deserve. Contact us today to get the best personal injury attorney for top-rated snow and ice accident claims representation.
