Winter alert: Avoiding parking lot hazards in Pennsylvania

Winter brings more than just holiday cheer. It also brings a sharp increase in slip-and-fall accidents, especially in commercial parking lots. Accident studies show over 1 million Americans visit the ER for slip-and-fall injuries each year, and nearly 80% of those injuries occur in parking lots or on sidewalks due to snow and ice.

When slippery conditions exist, poor maintenance combined with freezing temperatures can create dangerous situations. Recognizing these hazards is your first step toward staying safe this season.

Cold weather creates slip hazards

A parking lot’s physical flaws, such as cracks, uneven pavement or drainage issues, get much worse in the cold. These imperfections allow water to collect and pool easily.

When temperatures drop below freezing, potholes filled with water and snow freeze, creating unexpected hazards. These slick, unseen spots are particularly hazardous for pedestrians trying to reach a store or an office.

Property owner duties

Commercial property owners in Pennsylvania have a legal duty to maintain their lots in a “reasonably safe” condition for visitors, including taking steps to address winter hazards such as snow and ice after precipitation has ceased.

However, for accidents caused by the natural accumulation of snow and ice, liability generally requires proving that the snow and ice accumulated into unreasonable ‘hills and ridges’ that caused the fall, unless an underlying defect or the owner’s neglect causes the hazard.

Property owners are legally required to exercise “reasonable care” to maintain their premises, which includes addressing underlying defects, such as potholes, within a reasonable time after they know or should know of them. Failing to repair these known defects, especially when winter conditions make them more hazardous, may constitute a breach of the duty of care.

The role of poor lighting

Another significant danger in winter parking lots is poor visibility. It gets dark much earlier in winter. Inadequate or broken lighting makes it much harder for you to spot hazardous patches of ice or water on the pavement. What you can easily see in daylight can become nearly invisible and extremely dangerous in the dark.

Protecting your rights after a fall

If someone’s negligence injures you in a parking lot slip-and-fall, your priority must be seeking medical attention. You should also document the accident scene as soon as you can. Premises liability claims involving commercial property can be complex. These cases often require a detailed investigation into the owner’s maintenance and repair schedules.

Premises liability claims in Pennsylvania are subject to a two-year statute of limitations for filing a lawsuit, which generally begins to run from the date of the injury. Crucially, claims against a government entity have a much shorter deadline, requiring written notice within six months.

To successfully ensure property owners are held accountable, it is critical to have skilled legal representation. If you are hurt in a fall, call Conlon Tarker, P.C., at 724-285-7700 for a free consultation about your case.