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Every year, as the weather cools down across Pennsylvania, most drivers understand that they will be operating their vehicles through ice or snow at some point. However, it is not uncommon for vehicle accidents to occur when the snow begins to fall, and the ice settles in across the city. At Solomon, Sherman & Gabay, our attorneys are standing by to help if you need a Philadelphia snow and ice accident attorney. Our team has the resources necessary to investigate every aspect of your claim and help ensure that you receive the compensation you deserve. A common misconception is that drivers cannot recover compensation for accidents that occur in the snow or during icy conditions. That is not necessarily the case, so let us get to work today.
Regardless of how well a driver prepares for operating in icy or snowy conditions, and regardless of how much experience they have driving in hazardous conditions, vehicle accidents can still occur. Snow and ice introduce hazards that can cause havoc for Philadelphia drivers, both residents, and visitors alike.
When we turn to data available from the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation, we can see that the DOT specifically defines accidents caused by “snow, sleet, and freezing rain.” These conditions were a direct cause of more than 8,300 total vehicle crashes during the latest reporting year in Pennsylvania. Overall, snowy and icy conditions accounted for 6.6% of all crashes in Pennsylvania during that year. Additionally, the DOT in Pennsylvania says that even when the snow, sleet, and freezing rain have finished falling from the skies, the roadways will remain hazardous due to icy patches and snow.
The DOT goes on to state that, in addition to crashes caused by falling sleet and snow, that there were:
The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation says that there were 76 fatalities during the latest reporting year attributed to snowy, icy, or sleet conditions on the roadways. Additionally, many other Philadelphia residents and visitors sustained injuries in these accidents. At Solomon, Sherman & Gabay, our Philadelphia car accident attorneys regularly help clients who have sustained the following injuries:
You don’t necessarily need to be a motorist to be harmed in an accident resulting from unaddressed snowy or icy conditions. You could be harmed in such an accident if, for example, you were to slip over an unseen patch of ice on someone else’s property.
According to the legal principle of premises liability, a property owner should take reasonable steps to minimize the chances of someone being injured on their property in an avoidable accident. For example, the owners or supermarkets are expected to install adequate outdoor lighting in their parking lots. This allows guests to see obstructions in their paths, thus guarding against trip and fall accidents.
Property owners are also expected to address snow and ice when winter storms hit. This may involve such tasks as:
Taking such steps is particularly important on a property that attracts many visitors. For example, while homeowners should certainly strive to clear ice and snow away from key areas of their properties, on a college campus, where students must walk to and from class regularly, it’s quite essential that walking paths be free of hazards.
Accidents can occur if property owners don’t clear away ice and snow from walking paths and similar areas in a timely manner. If you’ve been involved in an accident because a property owner was negligent, you may be eligible to receive compensation.
Depending on the circumstances, if you’ve been injured in a snow or ice accident, whether as a motorist or pedestrian, you may be able to secure compensation for such losses as:
You can pursue said compensation by filing a claim with the insurance of the negligent party responsible for your accident. You also have the option of filing a lawsuit to seek damages in court if the insurance company’s settlement offers are too low.
It’s wise to enlist the help of an attorney when taking legal action in these circumstances. A Philadelphia snow and ice accident lawyer can assist you by:
When a lawyer is handling your claim or lawsuit, you can focus on your recovery. That’s critical in the aftermath of a snow or ice accident.
If you or somebody you care about has been injured in a vehicle accident that occurred in snowy or icy conditions in Philadelphia, turn to the team at Solomon, Sherman & Gabay today. Our attorneys have extensive experience handling these complex cases, and we will work to ensure that you receive any compensation you are entitled to. This could include coverage of your medical bills, property damage expenses, out-of-pocket expenses, pain and suffering damages, and more. When you need a Philadelphia snow and ice accident attorney, you can contact us for a free consultation of your case by clicking here or calling 215-665-1100.