The holiday season is a time for joy, celebration and gift-giving; however, it’s also a period that sees an increase in accidents and injuries, often taking place during holiday shopping escapades. From Black Friday frenzies to last-minute gift grabs, the dangers are real, and you should be aware of them.
Crowded stores, long lines and limited stock can create a stressful environment ripe for accidents. Slip and falls, cart collisions and fights among shoppers are more common than you’d like to think. Staying alert and being aware of your surroundings can go a long way in ensuring a safe shopping experience.
The danger of parking lots
Parking lots can be especially hazardous during the holiday season. The increased number of shoppers means that parking spaces are at a premium. This leads to hurried driving, less attention to pedestrians and an uptick in fender-benders or more severe accidents.
Pedestrians in parking lots also face the risk of tripping because of uneven pavement. They should be especially careful when they’re walking because cracks and other defects can lead to falls.
Dangers within the store
Inside the store, there are very serious dangers. Some of these include merchandise strewn on the floor that can cause you to trip, heavy items overhead that can fall on you and other shoppers who might become violent if they don’t get the exact items they want. Ideally, stores will have security present to reduce the chance of violence. Keeping merchandise in appropriate areas and having staff members to monitor the store can also help to reduce the chance of injury.
Ultimately, stores have a duty to minimize the risks you face as you shop. Pursuing a claim for compensation is possible if you suffer an injury that’s due to the negligence of the store.