After spring rains, you may need to step around puddles as you head to work or to complete shopping and other errands. While most small pools of water are shallow, some can be deceptively deep, hiding dangerous potholes, uneven ground, or slick surfaces that can cause you to slip and fall.
Unexpected accidents like this can leave you with various injuries, from minor bruises to back injuries, sprained ankles, or broken bones. Understanding the dangers of uneven ground, potholes, and pooling water can help you protect yourself and get compensation from the liable party.
If a property owner’s negligence caused your slip and fall, our Michigan slip and fall accident lawyers can investigate and hold them accountable in a compensation claim.
The Dangers of Uneven Ground, Potholes, and Pooling Water
After spring rains, the ground beneath your feet hides more dangers than meets the eye. When property owners like landlords and businesses neglect to maintain their premises, standing water can form, concealing trip hazards like uneven ground and potholes and setting the stage for accidents. Here are a few hidden dangers to be aware of:
- Concealed Uneven Ground: Standing water masks uneven surfaces, creating a deceptive appearance. Pedestrians expecting a flat path may suddenly lose their balance, risking serious falls, debilitating back injuries, or sprained ankles.
- Hidden Potholes: Potholes filled with water appear harmless but can be deep and dangerous. Unsuspecting individuals stepping into them can experience trips or falls, leading to broken bones or severe ligament damage.
- Slick Surfaces: The combination of water and smooth ground forms slick areas. These conditions increase the chance of slipping, potentially causing head injuries, fractures, or long-term mobility issues.
Our team at Fieger Law can help you get a settlement to pay for injuries caused by hidden dangers on another’s property. Speak with us today to explain your case and learn your legal options.
How Do These Hazards Occur?
Property owners have a duty to ensure their premises are safe for all visitors and employees. If an accident occurs because a property owner knew, or should have known, about a hazard and did nothing to fix it or warn about it, they can be held responsible for resulting injuries.
If the following types of negligence cause your accident, your attorney from Fieger Law can help you hold the property owner liable in a premises liability claim:
- Lack of Maintenance: Ignoring routine inspections and maintenance allows uneven ground, potholes, and slick surfaces to develop and worsen, increasing the risk of accidents.
- Inadequate Drainage Systems: Failing to implement or maintain proper drainage solutions can lead to water pooling and concealing hazards that can result in slipping or tripping.
- Poor Lighting: Insufficient lighting makes it difficult for visitors to see and avoid potential hazards, especially in areas prone to water accumulation and uneven surfaces.
- Ignoring Weather-Related Risks: Not taking proactive measures before and after weather events, such as clearing snow or addressing rainwater accumulation, contributes to the formation of dangerous conditions.
Steps to Take After a Fall
If you are a victim of a slip, trip, or fall, there are actions you need to take to protect your right to compensation. Our attorneys at Fieger Law can help you through the claims process:
- Document the Scene: Take photos or videos of the area where you fell before you leave the scene, if possible. Focus on the hazard that caused your accident. This evidence is crucial for establishing the presence of a dangerous condition at the time of your injury.
- Report the Incident: Immediately inform the property owner or manager about the fall. Get a copy of the accident report to use as an official record of the event for your insurance claim.
- Seek Medical Attention: See a doctor even if your injuries seem minor, since the severity of your injuries may not become obvious until hours or even days later. Medical records are vital evidence of your injuries and their severity, which is critical for your claim.
- Gather Witness Information: Get witness contact details for anyone who saw your fall. These can strengthen your case by corroborating your account of the event.
- Preserve Evidence: Keep the shoes and clothing you were wearing during the accident in the same condition. These items may be used as evidence to show the conditions of your fall.
- Avoid Social Media: Do not post details or discuss your accident on social media platforms. These can be used against you by the opposing party to reduce the value of your claim.
- Consult with an Attorney: Contact an attorney specializing in personal injury claims. Our skilled lawyers at Fieger Law can help you through every step of your case and negotiate for a maximum settlement on your behalf.
Get Maximum Compensation for Your Slip and Fall Injuries with Fieger Law
At Fieger Law, we specialize in representing victims of negligence and helping them seek fair compensation for their injuries. If you’ve been injured due to the negligence of a property owner, business manager, or landlord due to unaddressed slip and trip hazards, get experienced representation from our qualified attorneys today.
We have over 100 years of legal experience in Michigan and throughout the U.S., protecting slip and fall victim’s rights. Contact us today for a free case review to get started on your claim.