Common Causes of Slip and Fall Accidents

Slip and fall accidents are one of the most common and most expensive reasons for personal injury claims. Victims usually suffer from minor injuries to serious damages that leave them temporarily or permanently disabled. Injury costs can be very high due to surgeries,special equipment and braces,medications and rehabilitation. However,if a claim is made from the company towards the responsible party and they win,the victim could be forced to cover all of the expenses. For this reason it is really important to know the main causes of these type of accidents and be aware of them.

Situations that can cause an accident

Knowing the most common causes of these accidents can help a person stay safe,as well as business owners,workplaces or the owner of a public space to avoid an expensive premises liability claim.

  • Wet or uneven spaces. They include all floors that have spills that are not cleaned immediately,pavements that present irregularities on their surfaces without warning signs,lack of carpets or rugs on stairs,recently waxed,sloped or non-slip floors,potholes in parking lots,floors with grease splatters or other liquids,etc.
  • Environmental conditions. Among the risks due to an accident we can mention: snow accumulation,leaves or debris on floors,accumulation of garbage or objects,poor lighting that makes it difficult to see surfaces,changes in the type of floors (in material),etc.
  • Unsafe stairs. All places with several levels must have the appropriate stairs. Some of the causes of accidents can be: lack of handrails or the fact of not using them,running,jumping or stomping,debris,objects or garbage on the steps,waxed or polished stairs without non-slip surfaces,etc.
  • Lack of training and equipment. This occurs mainly in companies,when workers are not provided with the appropriate equipment or when they are not given information for their use. All employees,mainly in high-risk industries,must be properly trained to use the necessary tools and equipment. The main cause of these accidents is improper use or lack of footwear.
  • Negligence in retirement homes. The elderly are the most likely to suffer falls with very serious consequences,since over time their bones tend to be weaker and their balance more unstable. In these places the care in the floors and spaces must be greater.
  • Fraud. Although it is of less occurrence (3 percent according to the NFSI),it is a reality that occurs. When the person sets the stage for the accident to occur,for example,pouring a liquid or an oil in a supermarket and in this way simulate the incident. Another way is when the person crashed somewhere else but pretends he was at work.

Needless to say,if you suffered an accident of this nature and had injuries or even a surgery,you should speak to a personal injury lawyer. They can help you get compensation to cover your medical expenses,in the case that it is the company’s fault or an act of negligence.

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Tips for Driving Safely in Bad Weather

Driving in bad weather requires increased vigilance. Indeed,bad weather is responsible for many serious vehicle accidents. Below are some of the safety tips of driving safely in bad weather to arrive at your destination safely and avoid the need for an auto accident lawyer.

1. Plan the trip.

Before starting the trip,it is worth checking the weather to know what the weather will be like. It is advisable to inform yourself by looking at the social media platforms such as Twitter about the state of the roads and look for safe routes not affected by the bad weather through which to circulate. Better to opt for main routes and highways,than for unknown routes.

2. Slowly reduce speed,avoiding sudden braking.

If you find snow or ice on the road,the first thing you should do is reduce the speed by using long gears to stop. You must not do it violently to avoid skating. It is always better to drive along the right lane and change only to overtake another vehicle that travels at a slower speed.

Increase the safety distance to ensure braking if necessary,since both snow,fog and rain reduce visibility and reaction time. On slopes,keep a greater distance with the vehicle ahead.

3. Take chains and gloves if the snowfall is expected.

If you find snow on the road during your trip,stop the car in a place where it does not hinder traffic and put the chains on the driving wheels.

If you do not know how they are placed,inform yourself well,and practice before starting your trip. And whenever you can try to drive on virgin snow,not on the marks left by other vehicles.

4. Turn on the low beam and fog lights,as the road lights could dazzle you and the other cars.

5. Take the full fuel tank,and the mobile phone charged. This will allow you to ask for assistance in an emergency.

6. Never leave the vehicle on the road.

In case you cannot continue the trip because of bad weather or a breakdown,look for an area to stop with the appropriate signage or go to a service area or gas station from which to shelter from the bad weather and notify the operations center of the highway.

7. Keep calm at the wheel.

Not being nervous and knowing how to act when an unforeseen or risky situation can make you avoid an accident. Driving safely in bad weather is important and one should read real-time information on highways about speed incidents or limits.

In conclusion

At the wheel,you always have to be careful,comply with the rules,and keep in mind that you are not alone on the road.

Moreover,one should keep in mind that speed and carelessness are among the primary cause of accident injuries.

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