Other than depressed people, who walks with their head down? Not you or me. Yet, that is usually the first line of attack the attorney defending the premises liability claim will use to try to prove it was your carelessness that caused you to trip and fall and not the dangerous condition of the property that was the culprit.

In spite of my experience gained over decades of sunrise runs on the Ventnor and Atlantic City Boardwalk, I still forget to look down sometimes so that I catch my toe on a nail and stumble forward, barely catching myself before I splat onto the wood.  I should know better but I often forget to think like a lawyer when I'm spacing out as a runner with The Dead on the ipod.

My point?  We are our own best and last line of defense to ensure our safety and well-being.  Other than being 5 miles up in a metal tube hurtling through the air at 500 mile per hour, where we have no say to what the fates may hold, while on the ground, take care, be aware and take it slow.  Always assume the guy in the other lane is going to swerve into your lane.  Always believe that marble floor in the casino is as slippery as it looks.  Always know that the next board has the raised nail with your name on it.
By always expecting the unexpected, you'll be prepared to deal with any negligence that gets in your way.