What You Should Do To Avoid Snow and Ice Injuries In NYC

While some city dwellers worry about sliding into other cars when sheets of ice cover the streets, others can’t decide if they should leave their windshield wipers pointed up or down when parking their cars between snow storm flurries. However, most New Yorkers know that the most common safety threat is falling on a snow-covered sidewalk that a building owner or apartment landlord has failed to clear in a timely manner explains an NYC slip and fall accident lawyer at the F&A injury law firm in Manhattan.

Like people who are seriously injured in car accidents, those who fall on snow-covered sidewalks can suffer broken bones, spinal cord injuries, and even traumatic brain injuries. That’s why our city government requires rapid removal of snow and ice from sidewalks within four hours after each new daytime snowfall.

 

Always Report Dangerous Snow Pile-Ups to the Proper Authorities

If you fall or simply notice a major snow pile-up in front of your home or office, contact the building owner right away. Should you see snow piled high on public property, report it online. If excessive snow is located in a front of a school or police station, you can simply call 311. There’s even a downloadable NYC311 Mobile App to help you with all kinds of weather and other crises.

If you suffer serious slip-and-fall injuries, you’ll need to contact your New York personal injury attorney right away. He can tell you all about the insurance coverage that landlords must carry to compensate people for such accidents.

Here are some additional tips for staying safe and warm while you and other family members must walk or drive when snowstorms visit our area.

General Driving & Safety Tips During Snowy Weather

• Don’t go out unless it’s an emergency or your boss won’t give you the day off;
• Carry special materials in your car in case you get stuck in the snow. Many marooned driver has benefitted from keeping a bag of sand or cat litter in their car on snowy days. Pouring some of this material right in front of your tires can help provide them with the traction they’ll need to move forward on ice;
• Keep a full arsenal of important supplies in your car – and wear a heavy coat, boots, gloves, and a hat. The most basic car supplies include A sturdy flashlight with extra batteries; ice scrapers and a snow brush, jumper cables, first-aid items, a heavy blanket; spare windshield wiper fluid, emergency flares, and triangles, and anti-freeze. You should also carry a spare change of dry clothes – and plenty of drinking water and canned food in case you get trapped in your vehicle;
• Carry a fully charged cell phone and a portable charger;
• Dress your children properly. If they must go outside, always accompany them and dress them warmly inappropriate hats, gloves, and rubber boots;
• Avoid sitting in a running car for any long length of time. If you must do this, first check to be sure the tailpipe isn’t covered – otherwise, you can be harmed by carbon monoxide poisoning;
• Before any storm is due, check your oil level and fill your car up with gas. It’s also wise to purchase a spare set of windshield wiper blades that are kept inside the vehicle (not in the trunk).

Finally, always try to let someone else know when you’re heading out on any trip in the snow, whether on foot or in your vehicle. Even a brief text to a friend saying where you’re going and when you expect to return can help those who care about you – especially if you later appear to be missing due to an accident.