Spring may be right around the corner, but in the greater Chicago region, it is still winter. In fact, the next big winter storm is poised to blanket the area with snow as the last weekend of February approaches. With such weather, obviously, comes a number of related hazards and dangers, many of them related to road travel and highway safety. Winter storms can also cause serious problems for those on foot, making getting from the car to the house rather treacherous. There are, however, some things you can do to reduce the danger of a slip and fall accident and the resulting injuries that such a fall can cause.
Choose the Right Shoes
As you make your way into the office, do you wear your dress shoes or heels? Consider carrying your fancy footwear with you or leaving them at your desk and trade them for winter-appropriate boots. Be sure to find something that fits properly, with an aggressive tread that will grip slippery sidewalks better.
Alight With Caution
A large number of slip and fall accidents occur while trying to get out of the car, as a single foot on icy pavement can leave you quite vulnerable. Take your time when you reach your destination to exit your car carefully, placing two feet firmly on the ground and a hand on the vehicle before attempting to stand. If you can only put one foot out, for whatever reason, be sure to keep both hands on your vehicle to help maintain your balance.
Find the Right Path
While it may seem obvious, one of the simplest things you can do to prevent a slip and fall is to watch where you are going. If your walkway appears to be untreated or is snow-covered, look for a safer route. In places where snow appears to be melting, be even more vigilant for black ice. Also, pay close attention to wet floors and walkways once inside a building, as tracked snow and slush can also cause slip hazards.
Walk Like a Penguin
Humorous though the mental image may be, consider how a penguin moves across the Antarctic ice. Short steps with a wide base allow the flightless birds to easily traverse some of the most slippery conditions on the planet. As you walk through winter weather, use the same approach and drastically reduce your chances of a slip and fall injury.
Get Slip and Fall Compensation With Help from a Chicago Personal Injury Lawyer
If you have been injured in a slip and fall accident on another person’s property, you may be entitled to compensation for your injuries. Contact an experienced Cook County personal injury lawyer to learn more about your available options under the law. Call 312-804-6102 today to schedule your free consultation at Livas Law Group, A Division of Kralovec, Jambois & Schwartz.
Sources:
https://www.chicagotribune.com/weather/ct-winter-weather-storm-snow-chicago-20200223-o3vn5nti6jad3put3gmypurqoi-story.html