The winter weather presents many dangers to drivers and pedestrians alike. While many winter-related auto collisions can be prevented by following winter driving tips, a large percentage of slip and fall accidents on sidewalks and parking lots are often outside of our control. According to Lexington’s Snow and Ice Control Plan, there are nearly 1,200 lane miles of ranked streets in the city that need to be plowed each winter season. When ice and snow cause a slip or trip and fall accident, the injured party may need a premises liability attorney to fight for the compensation they deserve. After all, these incidents can result in serious and life-threatening injuries. Many slip and fall incidents occur when people are walking quickly or do not see the ice underneath their feet. When the victim hits the hard ground, he or she can suffer head and brain injuries, broken bones, spinal cord injuries, as well as arm and wrist injuries, among others.
Liability for Slip and Fall Accidents on Snow and Ice
The Code of Ordinances in Lexington, and specifically Section 17-31, states that individuals or entities who are in charge of the care of the parking lot or building next to a sidewalk are responsible for clearing snow and ice to ensure that people can walk on it safely. The law requires the party who has the care of the building or lot to salt, sand, or otherwise make their sidewalk safe for walking within four hours after daylight and after the falling of snow.
Penalties for Failing to Remove Ice from Sidewalks
Failure to remove the snow and ice within four hours can result in penalties for not taking appropriate measures to keep people safe. The responsible property owner or entity who violates this specific section can be charged with a misdemeanor and a fine of up to $100. For each day that the responsible party does not take appropriate care of the sidewalk, it will be considered a separate offense. Thus, ignoring the ice on your sidewalk for a week would result in the maximum penalty. The responsible party would have to pay $500 in fines. In addition to fines, the property owner will have to pay compensation to people who get injured in ice-related slip and fall accidents. The responsible party may be held liable for damages if the injured party proves that the snow or ice was not removed in a timely manner.
The Challenges of Seeking Compensation for Your Ice-Related Slip and Fall Accident
Bringing a personal injury claim against a property owner in Lexington may be challenging, especially if you do not know the laws of your area. You must seek medical evaluation immediately after the slip and fall accident because waiting to see a doctor could prompt the responsible party to call your claim into question, not to mention that failure to start treatment in a timely manner could aggravate your injury. Talk to our trustworthy Lexington slip and fall accident attorney to review your options and bring a successful claim against the liable party. Also, read these tips on preventing slip and falls in ice and snow. Contact Roberts Law Office for a case evaluation.