If left unrepaired or poorly maintained, sidewalks can be hazardous. Negligent construction works can also pose a safety risk on sidewalks. The cracks and defects can cause serious accidents and injuries. When pedestrians become victims of such defects, it can lead to filing of personal injury claims. However, who you can sue in a personal injury case depends on the location the sidewalk slip and fall accident occurred.
Maintenance of sidewalks can be the responsibility of different individuals or entities. Where uneven sidewalks are due to negligence on the part of property owners, they can be blamed for any accidents caused by such. Otherwise, if the sidewalk was located on government property, the state entities and municipalities could be held responsible. Depending on the circumstances surrounding the injuries, you can file a personal and premise liability case.
Common Examples of Hazardous Sidewalks
New York is, of course, known for having busy streets with large crowds of pedestrians manoeuvring through busy sidewalks. Crowded sidewalks can make it hard for pedestrians to notice cracks and defects on the ground. Such defective sidewalks usually include: raised pavements caused by tree roots, cracks caused by thawing. sinking pavement slabs, crumbling crevices not repaired for long, and lack of warning signs during construction and maintenance operations.
Such dangerous conditions on sidewalks usually result in fractured bones during a fall. You could even sustain lacerations, severe sprains, bruising, and even wrongful death. Some of these accidents can be avoided if proper public and private sidewalks are maintained. Otherwise, in case of an accident, you have all the right to bring a personal injury lawsuit.
What To Do After a Sidewalk Accident In New York
As per the New York state’s statute of limitations, you have up to 36 months to file a claim against whoever was responsible for your injuries. Whether a property owner or government entity, it’s always advisable to file a claim as soon as possible, especially if the claim is against the state government. Otherwise, consider these crucial steps after such a serious accident:
Call an ambulance or see your family doctor immediately. It would help if you were treated for your injuries immediately. You also need to have official documentation of all injuries sustained plus doctor testimony. These are very crucial details in your claim.
Obtain photographic evidence: If possible, record the condition of the sidewalk at the time of the accident as this will help with proving negligence. If you’re not able to take photos, have someone do it for you.
Get witness testimony: Take note of any witnesses and account for what happened. Ensure you obtain their contacts to help reach them when filing a lawsuit.
Conclusion
Contact a personal injury or premise liability attorney to get started on your case. It would be in your best interest to hire an attorney well-versed in sidewalk slip and fall accident cases to handle the daunting legal processes for you. This is especially necessary if your case is against the government. With several years of handling similar cases, they will know how to hold the negligent parties accountable and obtain just compensation for you.