Personal injuries can occur in any season, but certain types of injuries can be especially common during the winter months given the risks of ice and snow. Although snow tends to melt quickly after it falls in Santa Fe, the temperatures certainly drop in the winter, and icy patches on the roads and walkways can pose injury risks. Further, if you are in your car during a snowfall or while it is sleeting, you could be at risk of serious injury in a winter car accident. What should you know about personal injury in the winter? Our Santa Fe personal injury attorneys have some information and tips.
Winter Weather Can Result in Different Types of Injuries
When there is snow or ice during the winter months in Santa Fe, that winter weather can be one factor in different kinds of accidents and injuries. Yet we want to be clear that, even though wintry weather might play a role in causing an accident or injury, it is likely that another person’s negligence is still the proximate cause of the injury.
Slips and falls on icy walkways are common during the winter. Whether you are visiting a friend or family member, or you are entering a retail establishment or restaurant, you should not have to worry about slipping and falling on an icy walkway or a slick indoor entryway. Property owners (and others in control of properties) have a duty to maintain the premises in a manner that is reasonably safe for others. Failure to do so may result in liability if somebody slips and falls and sustains an injury.
Winter weather in Santa Fe can also play a role in motor vehicle collisions. Drivers might not slow down appropriately if it is snowing or may not leave a sufficient following distance from the vehicle in front. When another motorist fails to drive in a reasonably safe manner given the winter conditions, that motorist may be responsible for injuries in an accident.
You Should Speak with a Personal Injury Attorney Who Can Assess Your Case
In order to determine whether you have a claim and whether another party may be liable for your injuries, you should have an experienced personal injury lawyer in Santa Fe assess your case. For motor vehicle accident cases that happen in the winter, you may be able to seek compensation by filing an auto insurance claim or moving forward with a lawsuit against an at-fault driver.
For a slip and fall accident, or another type of accident or injury that is connected to icy or snowy conditions on a person’s property, you may be able to file a premises liability lawsuit in order to seek compensation to cover your medical bills and other losses.
You Will Need to File Your Lawsuit in a Timely Manner
If you are thinking about moving forward with a lawsuit, you will need to make sure you do so before the statute of limitations runs out. Most winter weather injury claims in New Mexico must be filed within three years. Under New Mexico law, most injury lawsuits that are not filed within three years will become time-barred.
Contact a New Mexico Personal Injury Lawyer
If you are hurt in a winter weather accident or otherwise injured in the Santa Fe area, one of our New Mexico personal injury attorneys can assist you. Contact Slate Stern Law to learn more about filing a claim for financial compensation.