Treacherous Indianapolis winters can bring subfreezing temperatures and heavy accumulations of snow during storms, causing slippery conditions that can make getting from place to place dangerous. While snow, ice, and other winter weather conditions are an inevitable part of living in the Midwest, poor weather does not absolve people of the duty to act in a way that prevents putting others at an unreasonable risk of injuries. For this reason, if you are hurt in an accident in which snow or ice played a role, then review your case with an attorney as soon as you can.
Some of the accidents that winter weather in Indianapolis can cause follow below. For more information about a specific case, call our office today.
Car Accidents
Snow, ice, wind, and poor visibility can make driving extremely difficult. That said, drivers have a responsibility to drive safely in light of weather conditions. For example, while driving at the posted speed limit during a snowstorm may not violate the law, it is not necessarily reasonable. Under Indiana law, when people fail to use the degree of care that a reasonable person in the same or similar circumstances would ordinarily use, they can face liability for any injuries their unreasonable conduct caused. As a result, if a driver injures you after failing to use an adequate degree of care during winter weather, you may recover compensation for your losses.
Slip and Fall Accidents
Winter weather can also significantly increase the likelihood of slip and fall accidents in the Indianapolis area. As anyone who has walked on snow or ice can attest, these conditions can make getting from place to place on foot extremely dangerous. When people slip and fall on snow or ice, they can sustain extremely serious injuries, including broken bones, concussions, serious soft tissue injuries, and even spinal cord injuries.
Under Indiana law, business owners have a general duty to remove snow and ice from their premises, and a failure to do so can result in legal liabilities for any injuries that take place as a result. The question to address in these cases is the reasonableness of the property owner’s efforts to remove the snow or ice, which may depend on timing. For example, if only a matter of minutes pass since a significant change in the weather results in a dangerous condition, the landowner may not face serious liability for weather-related accidents on the property. On the other hand, a landowner who fails to address a significant accumulation of snow or ice for a week may face greater liability for any accidents that take place as a result of the accumulation.
Protect Your Rights and Call an Indianapolis Personal Injury Lawyer Today
If your injured in an accident this winter, discuss the matter with an attorney as soon as you can. In many cases, Indiana law entitles people injured in winter weather accidents to significant compensation. To schedule a free case evaluation with a personal injury lawyer in Indianapolis, call attorney Bill Hurst today at (317) 636-0808 or send us an email through our online contact form.