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These property conditions might cause an accident

On Behalf of | Feb 26, 2019 | Premises Liability

With the winter weather in New Jersey still in full swing, the instances of accidents and injuries are going strong. Between icy sidewalks and general poor maintenance of public and private property, there are plenty of dangers for pedestrians. In many situations, the owner is at fault for the poor property conditions that caused a person to slip and fall.

Typically, the owner of a premises is responsible for its upkeep and maintenance in order to keep it safe. When a property owner fails to do this and someone becomes injured, it is often possible for the victim to pursue legal action. However, since most people do not want to end up with injuries due to an accident on someone else’s property, here are a few dangerous conditions you should watch out for to avoid this.

Ice or snow

Usually, property owners are not responsible for the ice or snow that builds up outside a building because of wintry weather. However, if there are certain conditions on the property that cause an unusual accumulation of snow or ice that then leads to an accident, the owner might be liable.

Poor lighting

Poor outdoor lighting might also cause a tripping accident if people are unable to adequately see the ground. For example, if you are walking back to your car in the parking lot of a supermarket and trip over an uneven surface because it was too dark to see the hazard, you might be able to file a claim against the owner.

Dangerous sidewalks and parking lots

When it comes to public sidewalks owned and maintained by the city that are outside a business, the business owner is usually not responsible for any accidents that occur in the area. However, if a sidewalk is only used by people coming to and from a business, the court might find the business owner liable if an accident occurs due to dangerous conditions on the private walkway.

In addition, property owners are required to adequately maintain parking lots. For instance, holes and cracks must be filled and patched in a reasonable amount of time. Failure to do so could lead to an accident and possibly a subsequent lawsuit.

The next time you visit someone else’s property, be aware of the above hazards so that you can avoid getting hurt. Unfortunately, accidents do happen, as we all know. If you have suffered a slip and fall or other accident on another individual’s or business’s property, you might be able to file a claim for your injuries and other damages.

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