4 Crucial Facts About Slip and Fall Personal Injuries

When you hear the words personal injury accident, your mind might jump automatically to car collisions and truck accidents. But slip and fall accidents are nearly as common as car accidents, and believe it or not, they can often result in similarly devastating injuries, especially if the fall causes a concussion or spinal injury.

Below, we'll help you get familiar with slip and fall accidents, including what injuries they cause and what to do if you experience a slip and fall personal injury.

1. Slip and Fall Injuries Can Be Severe

Slipping and falling might paint a comical, cartoonish image in your head, but a serious fall isn't a laughing matter. Some common slip and fall injuries include:

• Head injuries, including concussions
  
• Spinal cord injuries, including broken backs
  
• Broken, sprained, or fractured bones
  
• Fractured hips
  

Fractured hips from falls are primarily a problem for the elderly, who may have osteoporosis or other conditions that make them more prone to broken bones. However, slips and falls can happen to people of any age, and depending on where and how you fall, you could experience severe injuries regardless of how old or young you are.

Slip and fall injuries can even result in fatalities, especially if you slip and fall on the job. The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that 11 percent of worksite fatalities for men and 5 percent of worksite fatalities for women directly resulted from slips and falls.

2. Slip and Fall Injuries Can Happen Year-Round

Slip and fall injuries are most commonly associated with winter, and for good reason — property owners who fail to clear snow and ice away from their walkways or dry up water from heavy rainstorms create very dangerous hazards for all of their patrons. However, slips and falls can also be caused by things like spilled water in the kitchen or grocery store aisle, uneven sidewalks, or trip hazards like loose extension cords.

While it's important to be on your guard during the winter season and take safety precautions like wearing boots with dependable treads, remember that just because the sun is out doesn't mean you're entirely free of potential slip and fall threats.

3. Property Owners Aren't Always Liable for Slips and Falls

Like all other types of personal injury suits, slip and fall cases rest on the victim's ability to demonstrate that another person's negligent behavior caused their injury. In the case of a slip and fall, the victim would have to prove that another person — usually a property owner — was aware of a hazard and failed to take the necessary measures to protect visitors, customers, or houseguests from that hazard.

However, the property owner likely won't be held liable for your slip and fall injury if:

• You were trespassing at the time of the accident.
  
• You ignored slip and fall signage posted around the hazardous area.
  
• You were behaving dangerously when the accident occurred.
  

If you were obeying all rules at the time of the accident and behaving responsibly, and if the property owner was aware of the slip and fall hazard and did nothing to address it, you have a higher chance of winning your suit after a slip and fall injury.

4. A Personal Injury Lawyer Can Help

If you were injured on another person's property when you slipped and fell, get in touch with a personal injury lawyer today. Your lawyer will assess your case and use evidence like medical records, accident reports, and eyewitness accounts to show that the negligent party is liable for your accident and should cover any medical expenses.

Are you in the Savannah area? Donaldson & Bell Attorneys at Law are here to support you after your slip and fall accident. Get in touch online to schedule your initial consultation today.