Each season presents its own unique risks of injury. No matter what time of year it is, lots of people spend time outside biking, hiking, skiing, driving and doing everyday activities like cutting the grass or shoveling the driveway. At Thomas, Conrad & Conrad, our personal injury lawyers are well-versed in the types of hazards each season presents and can help you recover compensation if you’ve been injured in an accident.
Spring
The end of winter puts a spring in everyone’s step, but the season of renewal can pose particular hazards, especially on the road. Potholes, cracks and other damage to pavement and sidewalks, melting and refreezing ice and snow, new construction and more bicyclists on the road can all cause serious accidents, injuries and fatalities.
Summer
While many people believe winter is the most dangerous time to drive, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), more auto accidents happen in August than any other month of the year. In fact, summer is a particularly dangerous time for teenagers — the days between Memorial Day and Labor Day have been dubbed “The 100 Deadliest Days” for young drivers. Summer is also a popular time to travel, and an increased number of drivers and motorcyclists on the road means more opportunity for accidents.
Other common summertime mishaps include swimming pool accidents, an increased risk of dog bites, injuries from defective or poorly maintained playground equipment, and boating, kayaking and rafting accidents on the state’s waterways. Many people also enjoy camping, hiking and bicycling in the summer, which can all pose risks for personal injury.
Fall
As the days start getting shorter, the lack of sunlight in the evening means less visibility when walking and driving. It’s easy to slip on wet leaves or trip over fallen branches that haven’t been cleared from a property owner’s sidewalk or walkway. Autumn is also a time when people are cleaning and maintaining their roofs and gutters and putting up decorations for the holidays, which leads to a rise in the number of falls from ladders.
Winter
Dropping temperatures and ice and snow can create treacherous conditions on roads, sidewalks, stairs and parking lots. In winter, these slick surfaces cause a huge spike in slip and fall accidents and lead to serious injuries that may be the result of poorly maintained residential or commercial walkways. Whether you slip, trip or fall on public or private property, the person or entity that’s responsible for its care and maintenance may be liable. A personal injury attorney can assess your case and determine the best course of action to take if you’ve been hurt in a slip and fall or motor vehicle accident.
Although skiers and ice skaters assume some risk when they hit the slopes or rink, an injured person may have some recourse if an accident was caused by a defective ski lift, a dangerous condition that should have been remedied or another person whose reckless or negligent actions caused an injury.
Contact An Experienced Personal Injury Lawyer
Regardless of the time of year, if you’ve been hurt or have lost a loved one due to someone else’s negligence, our personal injury attorneys can help. Call Thomas, Conrad & Conrad at 610-867-2900 or contact us online to schedule a free consultation.