Slip-and-Fall Accidents at Gas Stations

As we drive around Coeur d’Alene most of us have to pop into a gas station at some point during the week. Whether we gas-up at the pumps or try to satisfy your thirst or hunger inside, we are usually taking our safety for granted.

That can be a mistake when you consider the thousands of people hurt in slip-and-fall and trip-and-fall accidents each year at places of business like mini-marts and department stores. You may overlook a spill on the floor or an oil slick in the parking lot and take a hard fall on your hip, your back, or even your face.

The stay in a hospital and the physical therapy to come may be enough to leave you in a financial disaster. If you are left in this difficult situation, please consult the slip-and-fall attorneys with CCD Law of Northern Idaho for a free consultation. You should not have to go bankrupt trying to pay for the consequences of an accident that was a business owner’s fault. If you contact us, we will always listen to you and work with you to determine your best path to getting compensation to help in your recovery.

Gas Station Slip-And-Fall Dangers in Coeur d’Alene

Idaho has a lot of beautiful sights to take in, but it’s a big place and you have to cover a lot of miles to see it all. That usually means making frequent stops to fill up the tank.

These days gas stations try to offer more than just cheap gasoline. Places like Exxon Jifi Stops or Maveriks are branching out into fast food service. They are also becoming mini-WalMarts by putting as much merchandise on their shelves as possible.

The selection is nice, but all the clutter and mealtime rushes can leave spills and other hazards everywhere. It can be tricky to find firm footing as you visit. These obstacles are supposed to be cleaned up and repaired so they don’t send you to the ground in a fall, but you’ll still see these issues lurking no matter what time you visit.

  • Idaho Weather Hazards – Rain, ice, and snow are all possible in Coeur d’Alene. Owners are required to provide a safe walk from your car into the store, but the shoveling and salting can go neglected and leave a treacherous path for customers. The hazards can carry into the store as people track ice and water across the floors.
  • The parking lot and pumps – Vehicles can leak oil and other substances around the pumps as drivers fill-up. This stuff builds up for months and can create an incredibly slick patch. There are no soft landings around the pumps with all their concrete barriers in place. Broken pavement and unsafe steps can cause trip-and-fall hazards.
  • Spill Hazards — Gas stations make a lot of money off of giant-sized fountain drinks, but those drinks can also create giant spills. The ice in those beverages can create a particularly dangerous slip-and-fall hazard. Food and candy can also end up in the aisles. Bathroom floors are often another trouble spot.
  • Car Wash Water- Another cold Idaho winter threat. Water and soap from car washes seep out everywhere and freeze and refreeze and can potentially send you to the ground.

Gas Station Owners Responsibility in Slip-And-Fall Accidents

Business owners of any kind are expected to show a “duty of care” to any person they invite onto their premises. They are required to provide a reasonably safe parking lot and store for customers to travel through.

If you are hurt in a fall at a gas station you will need to take as many photos of the scene of your accident as possible. Document the hazard that caused you to take a tumble. That obstacle will likely be cleaned-up or repaired as soon as you leave so you’ll need proof that it was there at the time of your fall. Witnesses, including helpful employees, may also be helpful in establishing your accident wasn’t your fault.

When you file a claim against the proprietor of the gas station you’ll be trying to establish two things:

  • The hazard was created by the proprietor, or
  • The proprietor knew of the hazard and didn’t fix it in a reasonable amount of time.

If the owner or operator knew of the problem or reasonably should have known through routine monitoring and inspection, they can be responsible for your costs of recovery under “premises liability” laws.

Compensation in a Coeur d’Alene Slip-And-Fall

Victims may have to rely on a civil lawsuit to try to recover the costs of their rehabilitation from a slip-and-fall injury. A claim for damages can help pay for the expenses any victim is subjected to after a serious accident.

And award through a fair settlement with an insurance company or a positive trial verdict can provide compensation for these damages and more:

  • Hospital and rehabilitation expenses.
  • Physical pain and suffering.
  • Past and future lost earnings from missed time at work.
  • Past and future permanent physical disability such as a limp, scars, or paralysis.
  • Emotional distress, such as depression. Compensation for counseling services.
  • Loss of enjoyment of life.

Contact a Northern Idaho Slip-And-Fall Attorney

Established in Spokane in 1948, Crary & Domanico, P.S. is licensed and practices in both Washington and Idaho. We are committed to providing our clients with the absolute highest quality legal representation after a serious slip-and-fall or trip-and-fall injury on someone else’s property.

If our Coeur d’Alene slip-and-fall attorneys represent you for your accident case, you have our assurance that we will use our absolute best efforts to win your case. Contact us after any accident resulting in a serious injury for a free, confidential consultation and case evaluation. We will only offer you advice which is in your best interest.

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