Although it is commonly seen in comedy movies, slipping and falling is certainly no joke if it leads to someone sustaining a serious injury. Unfortunately, this kind of accident affects tens of thousands of people every year, often due to negligence by a property manager or owner in maintaining a safe environment for visitors to travel in.
While there may not be much you can do to ensure that other people act responsibly, there are some surefire ways to reduce your own risk of getting hurt because of their misconduct. Here are some slip and fall preventative measures that experienced tripping accident lawyers know can minimize the odds of a serious accident.
Wearing Appropriate Footwear
It may seem like an unimportant choice, but the type of shoes someone wears while out running errands or visiting a friend can have a huge impact on whether they are likely to slip or trip. On a basic level, older shoes with worn-out treads might provide little to no grip even on perfectly level and well-maintained surfaces. If they get even a little bit wet, they can easily slip.
In the same vein, shoes that do not fit properly and allow your feet to slide around inside them could greatly increase their risk of losing your footing and taking a hard fall. High heels, dress shoes, and other footwear without anti-slip properties can also increase the odds of a sudden slip on an unexpectedly hazardous surface.
Walking in Well-Lit Spaces
Another factor that often plays a substantial role in slipping and tripping accidents is the lighting (or lack thereof) in the area where the accident occurs. Even the most careful people may find themselves stumbling in a store aisle where the overhead light has burned out. Some lights might be simply too weak or too awkwardly positioned to provide a clear view for visitors.
Whenever possible, one of the best preventative measures for slip and fall accidents is walking only on well-lit areas where it is possible to see every obstacle that might present a slipping or tripping hazard. If walking through a dark area is unavoidable, taking a slower pace and being extra cautious could make the difference. This is especially true for icy pavement at night.
Keeping an Eye on the Ground
Of course, wearing appropriate shoes and staying within the glare of fluorescent lights does nothing to fix the hazard that a broken floorboard, cracked tile, loose corner of carpet, or uncleaned spill can pose to a visitor on private property. For that reason, it is just as important for visitors to pay attention to where they are going as it is for them to be prepared in advance for the possibility of a dangerous slipping risk. If you see a hazard that you can fix yourself, it does not hurt to remove it, presuming you can do so safely.
Seek Further Guidance from a Slip and Fall Attorney
Even the most diligent person may still be at risk of a serious fall if they visit property that is not maintained in a safe condition for visitors. If you do end up hurt in an accident like this despite adhering to slip and fall preventative measures, you might have no way to recover for your ensuing injuries and losses other than by pursuing civil litigation.
A knowledgeable slip and fall lawyer could go over your circumstances with you and review your recovery options in detail during a confidential consultation. Call today to schedule yours.