Connecticut winters can be unforgiving in terms of ice and snow. Between the chilly temperatures and the rush of people out and about getting their holiday shopping done, you should be aware of several of the biggest hazards that you could run into in a parking lot this season.
The Weather Channel lists one of the most prominent dangers: black ice. Black ice occurs when ice freezes on blacktop in such a way that it can’t be seen by the naked eye. This causes vehicles and pedestrians alike to slip and slide across it. Many slip-and-fall accidents occur because of black ice. Stores are responsible for putting out sand or salt to combat these conditions, but unfortunately that doesn’t always happen. This could be due to the store owners not knowing that the black ice is there, or due to negligence.
Another big issue is lighting. With the sun setting earlier in the winter, having a strong source of light in a parking lot is crucially importance. Bad lighting makes it harder to see obstacles on the road, such as the aforementioned ice. Crime rates are also known to rise in places with poor lighting. This can be a problem when many people load their cars with gifts between stores during holiday season shopping sprees.
If you hae been injured in a parking lot due to the negligent actions of the property owners, you may want to speak to an experienced attorney. They can help you get the compensation for your injuries that you deserve.