When individuals walk along a sidewalk, they are usually not thinking about the dangers that can come from their leisurely stroll. It may be a part of their daily routine. Sidewalks are seen as a convenient way to walk around the neighborhood or town without having to walk on the grass or on the road. However, accidents can happen on sidewalks just as they can on the road. Various factors can cause someone to slip and fall while traveling along a sidewalk. These accidents are usually not foreseen and can be very unexpected for parties that become injured. People can become greatly injured by these accidents though. They may not know how to proceed after the accident. There can be liability placed for your accident. When liability is found, you may be able to receive compensation for your injuries. If you or a loved one has been injured due to a sidewalk slip and fall accident, contact our professional attorneys for legal counsel. We can evaluate your situation to give you the best outcome.
What causes sidewalk slip and fall accidents?
A variety of factors can be attributed to sidewalk slip and fall accidents. These can include loose debris, hazardous materials and surface problems. Weather conditions can also influence the safety of the sidewalk. When weather conditions are involved in the accident, liability can be a bit more difficult to prove. Weather conditions are required to be addressed within an allotted time after a storm. If you took the risk and used the sidewalk before this period of time, then you may not be able to seek negligence on behalf of another party. If it was after the allotted time that the hazards were still present, you may have a case to prove liability.
Who is responsible for my slip and fall accident?
Most sidewalks are the responsibility of the adjacent property owner. This can include a private citizen, a commercial property owner or a municipality. The victim of the accident will have to prove negligence on the part of the property owner. This means that the victim will have to prove that the owner knew or should have reasonably known about the dangerous condition of the sidewalk and failed to address it.
For these cases, it is important to seek medical attention. Get the attention you need to address your injuries. This will also document your injuries, proving the effects of the slip and fall accident. If there were any witnesses to your accident, they could help build a case and validate your incident. Preserving evidence in any way is very important in creating a case for your incident. In order to do so, you can seek the help of our attorneys. We can gather evidence for you and advise you in the best way possible.
What is the Tort Liability Division?
In Washington D.C., the Tort Liability Division handles claims that are made against the city for matters relating to property damage or personal injury. The division requires that all claims are made within six months of the accident. If the injured party does not file a lawsuit until after this time period, they will no longer be eligible to pursue legal action.
The experienced personal injury and medical malpractice attorneys at Trombly & Singer, PLLC are prepared to represent clients facing legal matters after being injured due to another person’s negligence. If you require strong legal representation in Washington D.C. or Maryland, contact our firm today to schedule a consultation.
