During the winter, simple day-to-day activities become dangerous. This is because the drop in temperature means the ground will likely be covered with snow and ice. Unfortunately, snow & ice injuries happen often, and they can result in serious injury. Read on to learn more about snow & ice accidents in New Jersey and what to do in the event that an injury occurs.
Who is Responsible for a Snow & Ice Injury?
In New Jersey, property owners are liable for keeping their properties safe. This applies to homes, stores, businesses, and municipal buildings. This means that if you slip and fall on the sidewalk in front of someone’s home, the homeowner may be held responsible for your accident. Property owners have a certain window of time to clean their properties after a snow or rainfall event. This window of time differs by municipality, so contact our firm to discuss whether your accident occurred outside of this deadline.
Fulfilling the Burden of Proof
If you are injured due to another party’s negligence, you may be entitled to recover compensation. But, in order to do so, you will have to prove that some sort of negligence occurred. This can be done by taking photos and videos of the hazardous conditions that caused your accident. Additionally, it is a good idea to go to the hospital and get your injuries checked out by a medical professional. This will also allow you to document the origin and extent of your injuries. At the hospital, make sure to ask your doctor for a copy of any relevant medical documents. If anyone witnessed your accident occur, he or she may be able to provide witness testimonies. It can be incredibly helpful to obtain this person’s contact information. Lastly, retain the help of an experienced personal injury attorney. A skilled attorney may be able to gather further evidence, such as security footage.
How Long do I Have to File a Claim?
If you wish to pursue legal action, you will have to file your claim within a certain amount of time. This deadline is known as a statute of limitations. In New Jersey, the statute of limitations for a personal injury claim is generally two years. This means that if you fail to file within two years of the date of your accident, you will likely lose your opportunity to recover compensation. To avoid missing any important deadlines, reach out to a personal injury attorney.
If you or a loved one has been injured in a snow & ice accident, contact our frim today. We want to help you recover the compensation you deserve.
Contact our Experienced New Jersey Firm
If you have been injured due to the negligence of another party and wish to speak with an attorney, contact the Law Office of Christopher T. Howell, Esq. today.
