Common Causes of Slip and Fall Accidents
Slip and fall accidents are a leading cause of personal injury in the United States. These accidents can cause a variety of injuries. Some people are fortunate enough to suffer only minor scrapes or bruises, while others suffer severe sprains, broken bones, or head trauma.
Slip and fall accidents can take place anywhere, at any time. Knowing how slip and fall accidents can occur is helpful in avoiding them. Here, the premises liability and slip and fall accident lawyers from Quick Law Group, PLLC, in Bellevue, WA, present the most common causes of slip and fall accidents.
Hazardous Areas
Most slips and falls take place in hazardous areas, or areas where dangerous conditions or objects increase the risk of an accident. Some of the hazards that most commonly cause slip and fall accidents include:
- Wet or slippery floors: Slips and falls may take place on surfaces that are naturally slippery or on those that have been made slippery by a spill, mopping, or other incident.
- Uneven surfaces: Uneven surfaces significantly increase the risk of tripping or falling. Hazards that can make surfaces uneven include pot holes, cracked tiles or concrete, loose floorboards, freestanding rugs or mats, and carpets or rugs with the corners turned up.
- Unfastened cords or wires: Ideally, cords and wires should not extend across pathways or other walking areas. If cords do extend across a walking area, they should be secured to the floor, so that they do not pose a trip or fall risk.
- Clutter and debris: Areas that are cluttered with boxes, objects, or other types of debris increase the risk of a slip or fall. People can either trip directly over clutter, or they can slip or fall when trying to maneuver their way around it.
Structural Conditions
Poor structural conditions are another common cause of slip and fall accidents. Structural conditions that increase the risk of a slip or fall include:
- Broken stairs or steps
- Damaged handrails or banisters (or a lack of handrails or banisters)
- Inadequate lighting
Inclement Weather
The risk of a slip or fall increases significantly in inclement weather conditions. Fog, rain, sleet, and snow can all decrease visibility and create wet, slippery surfaces, which combine to make the perfect conditions for an accident. Although weather cannot be controlled, property owners should do their part to keep the walkways outside their home or business clear, or to properly alert visitors of wet surfaces, so that accidents can be avoided.
What Do These Accidents Have In Common?
Nearly all slip and fall accidents have one thing in common: neglect. If a property owner fails to address hazards in a timely manner, if they neglect to alert visitors of potential dangers, or if they do not know about dangerous conditions that they should reasonably be aware of, and a slip and fall accident occurs, they may be held accountable for accident damages under premises liability laws. The lawyers at Quick Law Group, PLLC, work with slip and fall accident victims in the Bellevue area to determine who should be held responsible for slip and fall injury losses.
Contact Us
Slip and fall accidents can lead to devastating physical, emotional, and financial losses. If you have suffered a slip or fall due to a property owner’s neglect, the lawyers at Quick Law Group, PLLC, can advise you of your options regarding a premises liability lawsuit. To discuss your case, send us a message online or call our Bellevue law firm at (425) 576-8150.