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Common Autumn Accidents

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As autumn is upon us, days are getting shorter, and the weather is getting colder. But not only does the change of season bring foliage and fall festivities — it also comes with the risk of certain accidents. There are several types of common autumn accidents that occur regularly in New York. If you were hurt in an accident that was caused by the negligence, carelessness, or recklessness of another, you may be entitled to pursue compensation in a personal injury action for your damages.   

Slip and Falls

Rain is common in New York during the autumn months. However, rainy weather can result in slippery floors, sidewalks, and subway platforms that lead to accidents if not remedied. 

In addition, leaves on the ground are a major risk for slip and fall accidents — regardless of rain or not. Autumn leaves can pile up, forming a slick surface that may pose a danger to pedestrians. Leaves can also cover potentially hazardous conditions on the ground, such as potholes and sidewalk cracks. While these types of conditions present perils on their own, the safety risks rise substantially if they are concealed.     

Notably, an owner has a duty to repair any dangers on their property that could cause injury to someone else — or warn about them. If you slipped and fell on someone else’s property and suffered an injury due to their failure to keep it in a safe condition, you may be entitled to file a personal injury action to recover your losses.             

Autumn Car Accidents

Autumn brings with it many factors that can contribute to car crashes. School traffic, shorter days, and inclement weather can all create dangerous conditions that may increase the risk of crashes. Other causes of car accidents in the autumn months can include:

  • Distracted driving
  • Driving under the influence
  • Speeding
  • Running traffic signals
  • Vehicle defects

If another driver’s negligence was to blame for the accident, you might be entitled to recover your damages in a personal injury action. Significantly, if the accident was caused due to a manufacturing flaw or defective part, the automaker may be held accountable under the theory of product liability.

Trip and Falls

As it gets darker earlier during the fall, it may be more difficult to see cracks, depressions, and flaws in the sidewalk. If left unrepaired, these types of conditions can increase the risk of trip and fall accidents. Critically, a building owner is responsible to ensure the sidewalk abutting their property is kept in a reasonably safe condition. The City may be held accountable for the conditions of sidewalks abutting owner-occupied one, two, or three-family homes occupied by the owner, or those on City-owned property.

If a property owner knows about a defect in the sidewalk and fails to timely repair it — or warn about it — they could be held liable for any injuries that arise as a result. If the City of New York is responsible for the sidewalk, they must have been provided with prior written notice of the hazardous condition in order to be able to pursue a personal injury lawsuit.

Motorcycle Crashes

Many motorcyclists enjoy riding during autumn. But fallen leaves on roadways, fewer daylight hours, and rainy conditions can make motorcycle accidents more likely if proper precautions aren’t taken. Regardless of how careful you are, collisions can still occur due to the negligence of other drivers on the road.

Although the resulting injuries can be severe, no-fault insurance will not pay for medical care or cover lost wages in connection with a motorcycle accident. However, a biker who was injured due to another driver’s negligence may still be able to recover their economic and non-economic damages in a personal injury action.

Contact an Experienced New York Personal Injury Attorney

If you’ve been hurt in an autumn accident caused by someone else’s negligence, you may be eligible to receive compensation by filing a personal injury lawsuit. A knowledgeable personal injury attorney can best advise you of your legal rights and remedies. The Dearie Law Firm, P.C. has successfully represented clients in their personal injury matters for more than 30 years — and secured positive results in their cases.

The Dearie Law Firm, P.C. has convenient office locations in Manhattan, Brooklyn, and the Bronx, as well as mobile locations serving Brooklyn, Queens, Manhattan, the Bronx, Staten Island, Westchester, Rockland County, and on Long Island in Nassau County and Suffolk County. Contact us for a consultation.

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