In a single day last weekend, a whole winter's worth of snow fell on Philadelphia. The early winter storm that howled up the East Coast dumped 22.5 inches of snow on Philadelphia, beating the city's 20-inch average winter snowfall total. Still digging out of the drifts, the city is in the path of a new storm that could make driving and walking in Philadelphia even more treacherous. Meteorologists are predicting a wet Christmas Eve storm that could begin as early as tonight, coating roads and sidewalks with ice and turning Philadelphia into a slip and fall obstacle course.
Philadelphia pedestrians are already dodging icy runoff trickling across parking lots from melting stacks of snow. Roof melt flowing through downspouts and across sidewalks and driveways is also creating dangerous slip and fall hazards at Philadelphia businesses and homes. Called "black ice," these thin sheens of nearly invisible ice can make parking lots and sidewalks dangerously treacherous for pedestrians. A single wrong step and your feet can fly out from under you, sending you crashing to the ground. It's the kind of Philadelphia slip and fall accident that can result in a broken leg, broken wrist, broken hip or much worse.
Winter storms can turn Philadelphia's sidewalks and parking areas into a veritable obstacle course of slip and fall hazards. Philadelphia personal injury lawyers are bracing for another batch of slip and fall accident cases if the predicted storm hits as shoppers hurry to get ready for Christmas. Philadelphia personal injury attorneys warn that property owners may not be liable for slip and fall injuries. Investigation must prove that the condition that caused the injury was actually dangerous. Property owner awareness of the hazard and whether the accident could have been avoided are also factors. Philadelphia personal injury lawyers recommend that slip and fall victims immediately report the incident to the property owner and contact a Philadelphia personal injury lawyer about their rights.
