Top Winter Accidents
The winter season doesn’t just bring cold weather and snow, it also unfortunately brings a number of accidents and injuries that are unique to this season. There are a wide range of cold weather conditions that make travel, exercise, and everyday living difficult. Every year, over a million people are injured due to the various cold weather conditions. Here are some of the top accidents and injuries that occur in winter:
Slips and Falls
Slips and falls are one of the most common winter accidents. Snow and ice are the primary causes of such accidents because of their slippery nature combined with the fact that the frozen ground during this season is far less forgiving upon impact. Common winter slip and fall injuries may include head injuries, sprains, injured backs, and broken bones.
Frostbite
Frostbite occurs when you spend a lot of time outdoors during the winter season without any appropriate cold weather gear (e.g., socks, gloves, etc.) to protect yourself from the cold weather. Frostbite usually affects areas that are away from your core, such as ears, nose, cheeks, fingers, hands, toes, feet, etc. Similar to burns, frostbite has been classified by degree of injury according to skin and sensation changes, i.e. frostnip, superficial frostbite, and deep frostbite.
Carbon Monoxide Poisoning (CO)
Carbon monoxide can be fatal. This colorless and odorless gas is produced by burning fuel in your furnace, fireplace, grill, or car. Since many people are indoors during winter and keep heating systems running 24/7, the risk of carbon monoxide poisoning is increased. Even a tiny mistake, such as blocking vent pipes of heating system, could be fatal. Negligence of heating system service providers is also a possibility. No matter the cause, accidents involving carbon monoxide poisoning are often deadly.
Sports Related Injuries
Winter sports include snowmobiling, skiing, ice hockey, ice skating, snowboarding, and more. Each sport has its own potential for injuries. Some of the most common sports related injuries during the winters include pulled muscles, knee injuries, strains, sprains, broken bones, head injuries, and dislocations.
Car Accidents
The risk of car accidents significantly increases during the winter season. Low visibility, slippery roads and cars ill-prepared for harsh winter weather are the common reasons for this. Accidents involving seasonal service vehicles such as snow plow trucks are also increased. Winter season is hazardous on the road for both drivers and pedestrians. While weather is the primary factor for increased car accidents at this time of year, there’s usually some personal negligence involved as well.
Muscle Strains from Shoveling
Shoveling the sidewalk and driveway is one of the least appealing winter tasks and it is responsible for certain injuries because shoveling requires a lot of physical exertion. The repetitive action of bending, lifting and twisting when performing this task can cause severe strain on the back. The top injuries suffered during shoveling are muscle strains and soft tissue injuries, generally in the lower back.
Hilton & Somer, LLC: Personal Injury Attorneys located in Fairfax and licensed to practice in Virginia, Maryland and in the District of Columbia
To learn more about how our experienced personal injury lawyers can help you, contact Hilton & Somer, LLC at (703) 560-0700. All cases are handled on a contingency fee basis, meaning you pay no attorney fees unless we are successful in obtaining compensation for you.
Although no amount of recompense can erase the pain of accidents and injuries, it can alleviate the burden of medical costs and ensure proper financial recovery. If you are involved in a winter accident due to the negligence of another and would like to discuss your personal injury case, please contact Hilton & Somer, LLC for assistance.
References:
https://www.oip.com/avoid-common-winter-injuries-with-these-helpful-tips/
https://www.froedtert.com/stories/six-common-winter-injuries-and-how-avoid-them
