In the days of COVID restrictions, outdoor activities are a safe way to have fun. While social distancing and pandemic safety is on everyone’s minds, personal safety is also crucial.
With more people working from home, there is less traffic on once-packed roads. This makes it easier for people to enjoy local outdoor activities like hiking and skiing. Less traffic does not necessarily mean safer roads though. With freezing temperatures, be careful of ice formations and slippery roads. According to the U.S. Department of Transportation, state and local governments spend more than two billion dollars per year on snow and ice operations. Still, 24% of weather-related vehicle crashes occur on snowy, slushy, or icy pavement. Those accidents account for 1,300 deaths and more than 100,000 injuries per year.
The risk of winter injuries go beyond roadways. Slips and falls in parking lots and walkways can cause serious harm. Snow and water tracked inside create fall hazards indoors. Under Massachusetts law, land owners have a duty to exercise reasonable care in clearing snow and ice from property. To prevent injury, avoid snow and ice in parking lots, on sidewalks, and near building entrances.
Many parks and outdoor spaces are owned by cities, towns, and non-profit organizations. They have special protections under the law. There may be a limit to the amount of money recovered for people who are injured on the property. Careful investigations are important in these cases. SUGARMAN’s dedicated team of Boston personal injury lawyers have decades of experience handling complex claims and may be able to help you.
If you or someone you know has been injured, explore your options today by calling us at 617-542-1000 or email us at info@sugarman.com.