The recent news coverage of the recent slip and fall injury of former Mississippi Governor William Winter is a reminder that winter weather creates injury risks that are not present during other times of the year. The ninety-one-year-old former governor was recently hospitalized with serious head injuries when he fell on the steep, icy driveway at his home.
Winter weather in Mississippi is unpredictable. Temperatures fall and rise; there are periods of dry weather and periods of rain, snow, and sleet. Snowfall varies from place to place, and within the course of a few hours, a day that presented no real accident risk could pose a substantial threat to safety. During the winter, any outdoor surface can become dangerously icy – from steps, decks, and driveways, to sidewalks, streets, and parking lots. When this happens, there’s an increased risk of slip and fall accidents. Another factor which increases the risk of injury during the winter is that cold weather makes our joints and muscles tighter than they are in warmer weather. When you combine tight muscles with hard, slippery surfaces, there is the potential for serious bodily harm.
Fortunately, you can reduce your risk of slip and fall injuries by following a few simple winter safety tips. Many slip and fall accidents are preventable. One way that you can avoid getting hurt in a slip and fall accident is by choosing proper footwear. Winter boots may not be your favorite footwear, but they are a lot more comfortable than injuries caused by slip and fall accidents. Wear your boots every time the weather is cold and wet, or if cold, wet weather is in the forecast for the day. Also, if you are walking outside and you can see snow or ice on the ground, walk slowly and pay close attention to walking by avoiding distractions like talking or texting. If you see snow or ice on the ground where you are about to walk, look around and consider whether there is an alternative route to take to where you are going. If there is some other way that looks safer, you could greatly reduce the risk that you will slip, fall, and get hurt.
Sometimes, even the most careful people slip and fall. If you slip and fall, seek medical attention right away, even if you do not feel like you got hurt. Some of the types of injuries that can be caused by slip and fall accidents, such as neck and back injuries, are not always immediately noticeable. Seeking prompt medical attention can help you to get the care that you need right away, and it creates a record of your injury and the care that you have received.
After your accident, it is also important that you report the accident to the property owner as soon as possible. When you report the accident, do not say much about what happened and that you do not fill out an accident report or any other paperwork without speaking with an attorney first. Ask for copies of the forms and take them with you. Then, call a Mississippi Personal Injury Attorney and discuss your accident with them.
Barrett Law PLLC: Helping Mississippi Slip and Fall Accident Victims
If you got hurt in a slip and fall accident, a Mississippi personal injury attorney could help you pursue a claim for damages. To find out more, call the Mississippi Personal Injury Attorneys at Barrett Law PLLC at 1 (800) 707-9577 to arrange a consultation.