Trip-and-fall accidents can happen in many different ways, and they could be more serious than people realize. If you strike your head on a hard surface, you could suffer a traumatic brain injury or a skull fracture. Elderly people are often in danger of severe injuries, such as a broken hip, that can significantly alter their quality of life. Even just falling and breaking your arm or dislocating your shoulder could lead to extensive medical bills.
One issue that can contribute is if you are in an area with poor lighting. This is often a problem in parking lots. For instance, perhaps you are in a business’s parking lot that has not been well maintained, so it is full of potholes and other trip hazards. They have not installed proper lighting, or the lighting has burned out, making it likely that you could trip and fall while walking to the store or back to your car.
Outdoor stairs
Another significant area of risk is if you are using an outdoor staircase.
For example, maybe you are staying at a hotel or a resort, or maybe you live in an apartment complex. You access the rooms through an outdoor stairway that should be well lit at all times. But if the lighting has been neglected or was never installed to begin with, it can be hard to find your footing.
Falling down the stairs can lead to even more serious injuries than falling on the same level. You could suffer a spinal cord injury, for example, that changes the course of your life.
When property owners are negligent and create these types of dangerous conditions, they may be liable for your injuries. Be sure you know what legal steps to take.