08/19/2021 6 Common Causes of Summer Slips and Falls
Slip and fall accidents are more likely to occur in the winter months when New Jersey streets, sidewalks and outdoor steps are laden with ice and snow. However, plenty of slip and fall accidents also occur in the summer. Do not let your guard down just because the sun is shining and the skies are clear. Even a slight misstep or seemingly minor carelessness on behalf of a property owner can lead to a painful slip and fall that renders you hospitalized. Let’s take a quick look at the top causes of summer slips and falls.
1. Water
Take a walk near a swimming pool this summer and you are likely to find puddles of water that make these surfaces quite slippery. This is precisely why most public pools have signs posted stating to walk rather than run when by the water. Whether you are at a public or private swimming pool, you should exercise caution when walking near the water. When in doubt, don your sandals as soon as you enter the pool’s vicinity or emerge from the pool to improve your foot traction and minimize the chances of a slip and fall.
2. Flip Flops
If you are like most people, you have at least one pair of flip flops you wear around the house and the pool during the summer. Flip flops are certainly convenient summer footwear yet they are not exactly easy to walk in. If your flip flops get wet, slipping will prove that much more likely, potentially resulting in a sprain, fracture or break. Err on the side of caution as opposed to risk by choosing closed-toe footwear with superior traction that will help you walk safely throughout the summer, regardless of whether you are at a public pool, in your backyard pool, at the beach or elsewhere.
3. Mind Those Sprinkler Systems
A sprinkler system helps the grass grow or provides cool water for the kids is a legitimate hazard. Sprinkler systems and similar yard tools create slippery driveways and sidewalks that are much more likely to cause a painful slip and fall accident.
If you have kids, make it crystal clear that they are not to run or play near sprinkler systems as they could easily create a slippery surface that causes your little ones to take a painful tumble. Though there is certainly the potential to file a personal injury lawsuit with the assistance of our New Jersey personal injury attorneys after a summer slip and fall accident, the better outcome would be avoiding such an accident in the first place.
4. Boats and Docks
Most people are so excited to be outside in the warm sun and fresh air during the summer months that they rush into preparing their boat for departure from the dock. Every boater should know docks are likely to be slippery to the point that they can lead to a painful slip and fall. A slip and fall on a boat dock is particularly dangerous as it heightens the chances of drowning. Even segueing from the dock to the boat has the potential to be slippery so exercise extreme caution when making the transition to your water vessel.
5. Be Careful Using Outdoor Steps
Venture up to a property owner’s front door or that of a business during the summer months and you might find the steps are covered with water from a sprinkler, yard debris from outdoor property maintenance, random items from a nearby property improvement project or kids’ toys. Be mindful of these potential hazards while walking during the summer months and you will greatly reduce your chances of a painful slip and fall.
6. Inadequate Outdoor Lighting
You need sufficient illumination to see the steps, sidewalk, road and other surfaces when walking in the summer. Inadequate lighting has the potential to lead to a painful slip and fall accident at a house, business, government building, church or elsewhere. If you don’t feel comfortable walking in a poorly-lit area, use your smartphone’s flashlight feature to illuminate the steps, sidewalk, street, parking lot or other space for enhanced visual clarity.
New Jersey Property Owner Negligence is More Common Than Most Assume
Negligence is the top cause of slips and falls in the summer and other months. Negligence is a legal term commonly used by New Jersey personal injury attorneys to refer to the failure of a party to provide due care to those in the vicinity. Property owner negligence is the top cause of summer slips and falls. Examples of such negligence include:
- Letting water stand on one’s property
- Leaving kids’ toys along the sidewalk
- Failing to clean up splashes from the pool
If another property owner failed to provide a safe walking space for you or your loved one(s) to traverse and it led to a slip and fall or other injury, contact our New Jersey legal team right away to schedule an initial consultation.
Contact Bavagnoli & Bavagnoli Today
Our New Jersey personal injury attorneys will fiercely advocate on your behalf after your slip and fall or other preventable injury. If you know or suspect another party’s negligence (carelessness) played even a minor role in your slip and fall or other injury, reach out to our legal team for a no-cost, no-obligation consultation. You can contact Bavagnoli & Bavagnoli by dialing (973) 785-9522.
