As the Midwest is blanketed by snow yet again, it’s a good time to play it safe on the roads, worksites and even walking around. Cold weather brings snow and ice, which can result in devastating injuries. Here are some common cold weather injuries that can result in personal injury claims. Remember to exercise caution when out and about—and if you suffer an accident, be sure to talk to an experienced personal injury attorney as soon as possible.

Cold Weather and Driving

• Snow is responsible for thousands of accidents each year. Snow reduces visibility and can make it harder for your car’s tires to grip the road. If you’re speeding or simply not paying attention, it’s easy to find yourself in a collision. Keep your attention on the road, and pull over to a safe location when snowstorms get particularly bad.
• Black ice. Black ice is hard to spot, but you’ll know when your tires hit it. It can result in skidding and spinning across the road. This makes it more likely another vehicle will hit you. If the weather is particularly icy, try to stay home as much as possible.
• Cold weather can cause your tire pressure to drop. This causes your tires to overheat while driving, and can result in blowouts. Make sure that you’re using winter or all-weather tires, and check the pressure frequently.

Cold Weather Premises Liability

“Premises liability” is a type of negligence claim where a plaintiff argues that a dangerous condition existed on a property, the owner failed to maintain or warn about the problem and an injury resulted. You might be familiar with this as a “slip and fall” case, although it’s not limited to that particular type of accident.

As you might imagine, icy or snowy conditions can create or exacerbate property hazards. If you’ve been injured on someone else’s property, they may bear some responsibility for your medical costs, lost wages, pain and suffering and more. Premises liability cases can be quite complex, so the only way to tell whether you have a case is to speak with an Ohio personal injury attorney.

It’s also a good reminder to take care of your own property: keep walkways clear of ice and snow, inspect porches and steps and make sure tripping hazards are removed or well-marked.

With a little extra care, you and your loved ones will be safer throughout the winter.

Contact an Ohio Personal Injury Attorney

If you or a loved one were hurt in an accident, call me at 877.614.9524. I’ll help you explore your legal options. You deserve compensation for your injuries—I’ll Make Them Pay!®.