In a busy place like New York, sidewalks are the pathways for pedestrians. Bustling streets, lots of traffic, coupled with the fast pace of city life keep sidewalks crowded day and night. Falls on sidewalks, especially during winters, are a common cause of accidents, especially slips and falls. The snow and ice make the sidewalk slippery, even more so, after it melts and tends to increase the risk of a fall.

Unfortunately, some injuries may be so grave that they require long-term medical attention or can even be fatal. For example, a backward fall can lead to a traumatic brain injury or a hip fracture. Top injury lawyers across New York have handled various cases of negligence which has led to accidents on the sidewalk.

Causes of accidents on a sidewalk

In addition to icy sidewalks, there are a few other situations that may increase the risk of a slip and fall:

  1. Cracks on the sidewalk
  2. Broken or uneven sidewalk
  3. Loose bricks in the sidewalk
  4. Grating on the sidewalk
  5. Incomplete pavement / ongoing construction work on the sidewalk without adequate warning for the pedestrian

Who is responsible?

Remember, if you have been injured in such an accident, it could be due to someone’s negligence, and you deserve fair compensation. However, it is important to prove the negligence of the party responsible to take care of the sidewalk in terms of maintenance, etc.

State liability: It is important to note that the state of New York implemented two laws that reduce the state’s liability for someone’s injuries occurring from a defective or poorly maintained sidewalk and place that responsibility on the owner.

Property owner: As would be the case, in New York, property owners, residential and commercial, are responsible to maintain the sidewalks in front of their houses and/or businesses to ensure that the sidewalks are safe. In this scenario, damages include icy sidewalks. However, the owner can only be held accountable if they knew about the potential risk and did not address it; and proving it can be a challenge. Therefore, it is recommended to hire a personal injury attorney to help you prove negligence.

What to do if you’re injured?

  1. Get medical attention – It is important that you go to the emergency room even if the injury seems minor. It is best to get the doctor to give you a check-up to ensure there are no internal injuries. Remember to save the medical bills and other important documents because your injury lawyer will need them while filing for compensation.
  2. Photographic evidence – If possible, photograph the surroundings where you fell so that the damage can be seen by the lawyer and can be included as evidence in your settlement claim.
  3. Check for witnesses – If anyone was around at the time of your accident, request their cooperation and take their contact details. Their statement can play a pertinent role in getting the compensation you deserve.
  4. Document all expenses – In addition to medical expenses, also include loss of income due to missing work, transportation expenses to visit the doctor, etc. Your personal injury attorney will account for all the expenses while filing for compensation.

Lastly, don’t worry, let your injury lawyer do the work for you and get you fair compensation for your injuries and trauma.

If you or someone you know has been injured in a sidewalk accident due to someone’s negligence, you need the top injury lawyers, contact Siler & Ingber today. Call us on 1-877-529-4343 or complete our online form on this page to schedule a case evaluation with one of our experienced personal injury attorneys. Our consultation is free, and we do not charge a fee unless we win your case.

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