New Jersey has seen a lot of snow recently, and with snowfall comes shoveling. You will see people out and about all day, trying to clear their driveways. Snowplows will also be a popular sight, as they attempt to clear the roads. Clearing snow and ice is important for a number of reasons. If not properly cleared, serious accidents can occur. You may be wondering whether you are responsible for clearing the snow and ice on your property. In New Jersey, the responsibility varies. A tenant, landlord, or municipality may be held responsible when it comes to clearing the snow. Read on to learn more.
Where do Snow & Ice Accidents Occur?
In the winter, snow & ice accidents can occur anywhere, at any time. But, the most common places snow & ice accidents occur include sidewalks, parking lots, driveways, and stairways. It is important to be especially careful when traversing any of these locations in icy weather. An accident can result in serious injury. Some of the most common injuries sustained from snow & ice accidents include broken bones, spinal cord injuries, brain damage, and lacerations.
Who is Responsible for Snow & Ice Accidents?
In New Jersey, property owners are responsible for keeping their properties safe. This applies to homeowners, businesses, shops, and municipal buildings. There is a window of time after a snow or rainfall event during which property owners must clean their property of any snow and ice. This window of time varies by municipality. That being said, determining responsibility can be more complicated. For example, if you rent a property, your landlord may be responsible for snow removal. But, more often than not, a landlord will pass the responsibility of snow removal to the tenant in the lease. As a result, it is important to check your lease carefully in case you are responsible for snow removal.
What if Someone is Injured on my Property?
As stated above, property owners have a certain grace period during which their properties must be cleared of snow & ice. If you fail to maintain your property and someone becomes injured, there is a chance you may be held responsible. If someone is injured on your property, you should reach out to a skilled personal injury attorney as soon as possible.
If a snow & ice accident occurs on your property, contact our firm to speak with a skilled personal injury attorney.
CONTACT OUR EXPERIENCED NEW JERSEY FIRM
Stathis & Leonardis, LLC is an experienced personal injury law firm in Middlesex County, New Jersey that is committed to helping clients who have been hurt due to another party’s negligence. If you have been involved in a motor vehicle accident or were injured on another person’s property, please do not hesitate to contact our firm today.
