Icy sidewalks are a big issue for New Yorkers throughout the winter season because they greatly increase the risk of slipping and falling. Falling on poorly maintained sidewalks can cause serious injuries and even death. If you or your loved one slipped and fell in NYC because of someone else’s negligence, you may be entitled to compensation for the physical injuries, financial losses, and psychological trauma you endured.
However, in order to hold the other party accountable for your losses through a claim or lawsuit, you must provide evidence that shows the other party was negligent. Proving negligence isn’t easy and that’s why you should get in touch and work with a skilled attorney who has experience in handling cases such as sidewalk falls in New York City and knows how to fight for you.
How to Prove Negligence
In order to prove that the potential defendant was negligent, you must show that
The Other Party Owed You A Duty Of Care
Property managers and owners have a duty to keep their premises safe and free from any dangerous hazards in order to protect their visitors, customers, and employees. Other parties that may owe you a duty of care include a local government entity, business owners, homeowners, and landlords.
They Violated That Duty Of Care
in addition, you will have to prove that the other party either created the dangerous condition, knew about it, or should have known about it and failed to rectify the issue to make the area safe for everyone. furthermore, you must show that their actions or inactions caused your accident. some of the hazardous conditions on the premises include melting ice that has formed a pool near the building’s door, unsalted or uncleared icy walkways, and wet floors without warning signage.
They Caused Your Injuries
It is very important to provide evidence showing that the dangerous condition caused your injuries. Such evidence can include medical records, eyewitness statements, doctor’s testimony, camera footage, accident reports, and pictures among other evidence.
You Incurred Losses
In order to receive compensation, you must show that you were injured in the accident, and you incurred losses like medical expenses, lost income, disabilities, permanent injuries, or pain and suffering among others.
How To Reduce The Risk Of Slipping On Snow
Although many of these accidents happen because the responsible party has not removed ice from the surfaces promptly, you can reduce the risk of falling by wearing sturdy shoes that have a good grip, monitoring the weather conditions, and walking slowly on snow-covered surfaces. In addition, you can reduce the number of times you venture outside after snow and ice storms.
However, if you have already slipped, fallen, and sustained injuries, you should take pictures of the scene immediately because the ice can melt quickly, destroying the evidence. You should accompany the photos with a written description of the incident and any witness statements if possible.
Conclusion
In conclusion, you can prove the other party’s negligence by showing they owed you a duty of care, violated that duty, which caused your accident, and you sustained injuries and losses as a result.
