We’ve all seen tragic videos on social media of an individual getting stuck in an elevator accident and fighting for their life while others try to pry him out.
Were you injured by a faulty building elevator?
Although not all elevator accidents are in your control, such as a malfunction that causes you to slip, trip, and fall. But you can follow good practices. You can remain careful while embarking and disembarking an elevator to reduce the risk of an accident.
Our personal injury attorneys understand how an elevator accident can leave an individual with serious injuries.
Therefore, we have compiled some tips for you to prevent any injuries.
Elevator Safety Tips to Follow
What Should You Do When Entering an Elevator Car?
Here are a few things that you can do while entering an elevator:
- Make sure to stand reasonably from the elevator to allow exiting passengers to safely disembark the elevator before entering one. Waiting for your turn can also help avoid clogging up the elevator cars or getting stuck between the elevator doors.
- Typically, you’ll find a slight gap in older elevators due to the misleveling, so make sure you watch your step, as it can cause you to either trip or get your foot stuck, which can lead to injuries.
- When the elevator stops and people are getting off, make sure you assess the situation before joining them. Often, an elevator can reach its full capacity, leading to breakdowns and unfortunate situations you don’t want to be part of. The closing doors can also be a concerning risk for individuals in an overcrowded elevator. Wait for the next car rather than heading into an overly crowded one.
- When the elevator doors are closing, it is important that you don’t run to catch the elevator, as you can risk your limb getting caught in the closing doors, which can result in injuries.
Things to Consider When Exiting the Elevator
A lot of people cramped in an elevator can put passenger safety at risk during disembarkation if people are not careful. It would help if you didn’t push your way through the people to exit an elevator, as this can lead to elevator-related accidents. Ask the people politely to make way for you to disembark safely, and if you require support, you can hold on to the railings in the elevator or its side.
What Should You Do If the Elevator Stops Between Floors?
The first thing to do when you find yourself in a situation where the elevator stops between floors is not to panic and assess the situation. During an elevator emergency, navigate to the control panel and push the emergency button to ask for help from the operations team.
In movies, when an emergency like this arises, the protagonist climbs through the ceiling and the elevator wall to reach their destination. Remember, these are movies, and in real life, you should consider waiting for professionals to assist you.
It may seem that the professionals are taking their time, but the tense situation warrants such thinking. So remain calm at all times, ensure other elevator passengers are quiet, and ride through this “waiting game.”
Safety Tips for Building Owners
Building owners are responsible for maintaining their elevators and ensuring all safety measures are in place to avoid any negligence cases.
Here are some tips that building owners should follow to avoid any elevator-related accidents:
- Always hire a qualified elevator company to perform regular maintenance and repair services.
- Ensure elevator safety signs for freight elevators, elevator shafts, and emergency operations.
- Make sure the emergency stairs are open at all times without any obstacles obstructing passage to allow people to use the stairs in case of disruption of electrical services, which can bring an elevator to a halt.
For more detailed tips, visit the Elevator Escalator Safety Foundation for standard elevator rules. These tips cannot guarantee your safety in the case of an elevator accident. If you received injuries from an elevator accident, contact us at (213) 596-9642 for a free consultation, as you may be eligible for compensation.
