Winter is the most wonderful time of the year for many people. When you are indoors, the snow and chilly temperatures make the world look shiny and new. Getting on the road, though, is another matter entirely. Winter presents a whole new variety of hazards with which you and other drivers must contend. In addition, the number of people on the road tends to increase in the winter when people travel for the holidays.
Avoiding the season’s icy hazards does not have to be a challenge. Whether you are driving to visit family or walking out of the grocery store, make sure you are doing what you can to keep yourself and your loved ones safe.
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In the depths of winter, locals can expect the roads, parking lots, and sidewalks in Minnesota to be a little more trying than usual. More specifically, residents and visitors alike will want to keep an eye out for the following three hazards:
Ice on its own can put shoppers, drivers, and pedestrians in a fair amount of danger. Fortunately, most people can see ice when it forms over an operable lot. That is not the case with black ice. Black ice is labeled as such because it is nearly invisible to the naked eye. As a result, drivers and pedestrians can move over black ice without initially realizing that they are in danger.
There is no escaping the snow during a Minnesota winter. As the inches pile up, residents and their visitors may find themselves contending with blocked vents, stuck cars, and dangerous walking conditions. Sudden snowstorms might even close some of the state’s roads, leaving residents and visitors stranded when trying to get from Point A to Point B.
Even after a snowstorm blows over, Minnesota residents are forced to contend with the difficulties it leaves behind. Plunging temperatures throughout the winter can leave families with frozen pipes. Also, icicles that are not safely cleared out of public spaces can fall and injure a passerby.
This holiday season, it is important for Minnesota residents to be aware of their surroundings. This means driving defensively, walking slowly on unpaved, snowy or icy sidewalks, and keeping a close eye on the conditions of their homes. If it looks like the weather is about to take a turn for the worse, residents can stay indoors and remain diligent when heading out into the unknown.
Weather-related accidents in Minnesota do not often look like they are the fault of another party. This, however, is not always the case. Businesses that let black ice or icicles build up outside of their front walks can be held liable in premises liability cases if someone is injured on their property. Drivers who fail to take the dangers of a snowstorm into account on the road may still face legal consequences if they trigger an accident. Even landlords can be charged with neglect if they let their residential pipes go unmaintained throughout the winter.
Anyone who suffers from any of these winter hazards, and believes reckless endangerment or negligence may be involved, may have a legal case on their hands. Interested parties can contact experienced car accident attorneys to learn more about what compensation they may be entitled to receive for their winter accident.
There’s no controlling Southern Minnesota’s weather. All you can do is prepare yourself for its variations. With that in mind, be sure you have everything you need on hand when you head out into the cold. What’s more, do not be afraid to discuss how an accident on the road or in a store may leave you with a legal conundrum.
If you believe your winter weather accident may have been exacerbated by someone else’s negligence, get in touch with Knutson + Casey today. You can call (507) 344-8888 or reach out via the firm’s online form to set up your consultation.