Most Common Winter Injuries and How to Avoid Them

With winter comes bad weather. Ice, snow, and freezing temperatures are just some of the many conditions that every New Yorker must face each year. If you remain vigilant and take reasonable measures to protect yourself, you have a greater chance of getting through the season without hurting yourself. 

If you were injured in a slip and fall on property owned by a bar, restaurant, hotel, or another business, you should consult an experienced slip and fall attorney. Likewise, if you were hurt in a car accident caused by another driver’s negligence, a car accident attorney can help you understand your legal options. An accident lawyer serving New York City can help you build a strong case.

However, you should take action to reduce the risk of an accident. Here are some of the most common winter injuries and how to avoid them: 

1. Slip and falls 

Even a sidewalk that is clear of snow may still contain black ice. You may not see the thin layer of frozen moisture on the surface, and if you slip and fall on it you can break bones, hurt your back, or sprain joints and ligaments. You can also sustain a serious head injury. 

To avoid slip and falls, you should take short, slow, and deliberate steps when walking on a sidewalk. The insidious thing about black ice is that it can cover a surface in patches. You may find sure footing on one part of the sidewalk and slippery conditions in another. 

2. Shoveling injuries 

You will need to shovel a path out of your home after a heavy snowfall. You will also want to clear the sidewalk in front of your house. Because you execute the movements require to shovel so rarely your body is not using it. This can lead to neck and back injuries. You can protect yourself by lifting the snow onto the shovel and pushing it away. To protect your back, you should always bend your knees when lifting the snow. 

3. Hypothermia 

Extreme cold occasionally descends on New York City during the winter. Although the human body is robust in its ability to maintain a constant temperature, it can be overwhelmed if exposed extensively to the cold. If your body temperature drops below 95 degrees, you will be in a state of hypothermia. You can protect yourself by wearing layers of clothes and staying dry. 

If you have done your best to avoid a winter accident but others have not done their part, you should hold them accountable. Levitsky Law Firm is a New York City personal injury law firm that can help you get the money you deserve.