The colder winter months in Georgia often bring hazardous weather conditions, sometimes in the form of ice storms. Ice can present a particular hazard for pedestrians, sometimes causing falls that result in serious injuries. When these accidents happen because of someone else’s negligence, victims may be able to recover by filing a personal injury claim. The best way to maximize your chances of recovery is to retain the services of an experienced Fayette County personal injury lawyer as soon as possible after an accident.
After a slip and fall accident due to ice or snow, many people are curious as to whether they can sue the person or party responsible for the maintenance of the premises. The good news for potential plaintiffs is that Georgia law changed in 1997 to impose a duty for premises owners to inspect their property for the natural accumulation of snow or ice. Prior to the change in the law, property owners did not have any duty to check for naturally occurring conditions such as these. Under the current law, people who slip on snow or ice can bring action and prevail if they are able to show that the owner was negligent in not checking or removing an accumulation of snow or ice. Some of the more common injuries that people can sustain in a slip and fall accident involving snow or ice include the following:
- Broken bones
- Concussions
- Lacerations
- Contusions
- Sprains
After a slip and fall accident, victims should record as much information about the incident as possible, including where and when it occurred. In addition, victims should take pictures of the condition that caused their fall if possible.
Contact a Fayette County Personal Injury Attorney for a Free Consultation
If you or a loved one has been injured in a slip and fall accident caused by snow or ice, you may be entitled to substantial compensation. In order to schedule a free initial consultation with one of the experienced personal injury attorneys of Shane Smith Law, call our office today at (980) 246-2656.