Take extra precautions this winter season to ensure you are able to enjoy a happy and injury-free holiday. We've compiled a list of the most common winter accidents that can cause injury and even lead to lawsuits.

Motor Vehicle Accidents

Car accidents in the winter are common for a variety of reasons. Rain or ice can make road surfaces slippery and visibility can be reduced by fog, mist, rain, or snow, making driving unsafe. With shorter daylight periods and earlier sunsets, visibility can decrease even during rush hour, leading to more frequent traffic accidents. It is vital to drive carefully at all times, especially in harsh winter weather conditions.

Anything can happen during a road crash and some accidents can result in serious injuries that can have lifetime consequences. If you believe an accident you were involved in was due to negligence, you could be compensated for personal injury by filing a lawsuit.

During the holidays, drunk driving is more common with the increase in parties and social gatherings. This is a bad combination that can lead to packed cars and the possibility of drunk driving. Alcohol can impair your vision when you drive and with harsher weather conditions in the winter, the likelihood of getting involved in an accident is higher.

Slip and Fall

The number of slips and falls always increase as the air becomes colder and streets and sidewalks become covered with snow and ice. Despite the common fall injury, more serious injuries such as spinal cord or brain injuries are more likely to occur if one does not take precautions. This can be seen more in older generations who have difficulty in movement, making them more prone to injuries in the winter. Wearing appropriate footwear, walking slower, shoveling your sidewalk, and avoiding walking distractions are a few ways to help prevent slips and minimize potential threats.

Falling from a ladder is another common injury that is seen more in the wintertime. Whether you're hanging holiday decorations or clearing snow from the roof, being high off the ground is a risk and can result in injury if a fall occurs. Remember to use a sturdy ladder that is set on even ground and remain in your window of reach when you are moving. If able, get another person to stand at the bottom of the ladder to hold it down, keeping it sturdy as you climb.

Dangerous pollutant poisoning

During the wintertime, you may be tempted to buy or turn on an unvented or vent-free heating appliance to help reduce heating costs while also being easy to use. But, these heaters actually release dangerous pollutants into the house such as carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide, and water vapor. More individuals are poisoned by CO than by all other poisons combined. Gas heaters emit very little carbon monoxide when they are properly maintained and adjusted.

To help reduce the risk of dangerous pollutants, use only approved gas heaters with ODS pilots while also avoiding the use of unvented heaters in confined spaces. Follow all maintenance and operation instructions carefully and try to clean it on a yearly basis. You might also consider purchasing a vented gas or electric heater, which allows pollutants to escape to the outdoors via a vent pipe.

Burn and Heater Accidents

When the winter season arrives, space heaters are utilized to help warm up a place. Despite their convenience, they can be extremely dangerous in our houses. In close proximity to space heaters, It can be easy to accidentally burn yourself. It can also be common for heaters to overheat, making them more likely to spark a fire.

Many people cook more often during the holiday season and forget to practice kitchen safety. The majority of burns are small and heal on their own, but certain burns are more serious than a first-degree burn and require medical attention.

Winter is a great time for bonfires and smores; however, this adds an increased risk if done improperly. Handling a fire can be dangerous to anyone, so make sure to take extra precautions next time you want to start a fire. If not properly monitored, lighting a fire inside or having an outdoor fire pit might result in sparks or burns. Because gasoline might be unpredictable, avoid using it as a starting agent.

How We Can Help

At Barfoot & Schoettker, we recognize that the majority of these injuries are preventable and many of the factors that contribute to them could be the result of negligence. If that is the case, we can help seek compensation through a lawsuit to get what you deserve this winter season. As a well-established law firm, we can assist you in recovering damages for lost wages, pain, and expenses resulting from a personal injury. Contact us today to see how we can help you.

Here are some links to related information

• Truck Accident
• When to Call A Personal Injury Attorney