Rosenbaum Personal Injury Lawyers | February 6, 2025 | Personal Injury
Whether it’s your first or your twentieth time attending Winter Jazzfest in NYC, you’re in for a musical experience of a lifetime. Winter Jazzfest is an annual celebration of contemporary jazz music that takes place over six days and dozens of venues. Recent artists include modern jazz legends like Makaya McCraven, Air Legacy Trio, and Charles Tolliver.
Safety may not be at the top of your mind when you’re planning a musical adventure, but unfortunately, protecting your well-being is always a priority.
Most Common Injuries Sustained At A Music Festival
The mood, the music, the memories — that’s what a great music fest is all about. However, tragedies and accidents can happen anywhere. At least 175 people have died while attending music festivals since 1996.
Crowd rushing, shootings, and stabbings have led to wrongful death lawsuits and other legal actions. Drug overdoses, alcohol poisoning, and DUI accidents are also a concern. Other common injuries include:
- Dehydration
- Exposure/overheating
- Strains, sprains, and broken bones
- Slip and fall accidents
Sexual assault at large music events is a growing concern. In a survey from the University of Las Vegas, 92% of female survey participants reported some type of harassment, and 3% reported being sexually assaulted or raped.
Safety Tips For The NYC Winter Jazzfest
It is possible to enjoy all the fun of Winter Jazzfest and stay safe. These tips will help.
Dress For The Weather
Moving from one venue to another can make it difficult to regulate your temperature. New York City often experiences freezing temperatures in January, so skimping on the outerwear is not a good idea.
Avoid overheating and cold exposure by dressing in layers, wearing warm and comfortable shoes (you’ll be doing a lot of walking, standing, and dancing), and wearing a coat you can easily carry when it’s not needed.
Do Not Accept Drinks Or Drugs From Strangers
All judgment aside, staying safe is the priority. If you choose to partake, do it wisely. Recreational marijuana is legal in NYC, but there are still local laws governing its use. Make sure you know them. Use a drug test kit to identify tainted drugs. Never accept drinks from people you don’t know; use a drink cover to prevent tampering.
Uber Safely
The taxi business is alive and well in NYC, and you may need transportation to get from one venue to another. If you prefer using Uber or other rideshare services, follow these suggestions for safety:
- Minimize the time you stand outside by requesting your ride from inside a venue
- Let friends know where you’re going and with whom
- Sit in the back even if the driver invites you to take the front seat
- Ask the driver to identify themselves
- Always wear your seat belt in case of an accident
Before entering the car, take a few seconds to confirm the driver’s name and ride details. A professional driver should not become impatient or irritated because their customer takes reasonable precautions. If they do, request a new driver.
Crowd Crushing
Many of the NYC Winter Jazzfest venues are smaller clubs where huge crowds aren’t an issue. If you do find yourself in the middle of a large crowd that begins to move erratically, stay calm. Follow the path of the movement instead of fighting against it. Try to navigate yourself to the edge of the crowd without pushing.
If you fall, get up as quickly as possible. If you’re unable to get up, curl in a ball to protect your vital organs and place your hands on your face and head to help prevent a head injury.
Stay Safe And Enjoy Winter Jazzfest
Taking safety precautions doesn’t have to dampen your fun. Think of safety planning in the same way you would think of all the other organizational details needed to make a trip run smoothly. It may not be the most exciting part of your adventure, but it will help you have a great experience.
Contact Our Personal Injury Law Firm in New York City at Rosenbaum Personal Injury Lawyers For More Help
If you’ve been injured in an accident in Manhattan, NY, and need legal help, contact our NYC personal injury lawyers at Rosenbaum Personal Injury Lawyers to schedule a free consultation. We also serve in Brooklyn and the Bronx.
Rosenbaum Personal Injury Lawyers – New York City Office
100 Wall St 24th Floor
New York, NY 10005
(212) 514-5007
Rosenbaum Personal Injury Lawyers – Bronx Office
1578 Williamsbridge Rd suite 3b
Bronx, NY 10461
(212) 514-5007
(917) 905-2339
Rosenbaum Personal Injury Lawyers – Brooklyn Office
32 Court St #704
Brooklyn, NY 11201
(212) 514-5007
(917) 920-7332
