Sidewalk Accidents in Washington D.C. | What to Know

If you were injured on a sidewalk, you may be entitled to financial compensation. Do not wait to reach out to a dedicated Washington DC defective sidewalk lawyer today to discuss the details of your case and your options.

Who can be held responsible for sidewalk accidents?

While many individuals believe that their city or municipality is liable for keeping the sidewalks maintained. In many instances, this responsibility falls on the property owner. For instance, if you slip and fall on the sidewalk in front of another person’s home, the homeowner may be held accountable. The same goes for stores, restaurants, municipal buildings, etc. With that being said, it is not always clear who is responsible for a sidewalk accident, which is why it is critical to speak with a skilled personal injury attorney as soon as you can. Furthermore, if a weather event occurs, property owners have a certain amount of time to remove the snow and ice from their property for the safety of walkers. In the event an accident occurs after this allotted time frame, you may be qualified to recover compensation for your injuries. Do not wait to reach out to our firm to discuss whether your injury occurred outside this window of time. Our legal team is on your side.

What steps should I take when pursuing legal action?

After sidewalk accidents, as the injured party, it is your responsibility to satisfy the burden of proof. Essentially, this means that you are accountable for providing proof of the negligence that caused your accident and injuries. The best way to do this is by taking the following measures:

  • Call 911
    • The police can send an ambulance to the scene, file an accident report, interview witnesses, keep the premises safe, and more.
  • Seek medical attention
    • It is important to visit the hospital, your doctor, or a local urgent care facility immediately after an accident occurs. This is because it is likely that you could have sustained a serious injury without discovering it. Furthermore, some injuries do not begin to show symptoms until days or even weeks later. Also, by doing this, you can obtain important documentation that the origin and extent of your injuries. You will want to ask your doctor for this important information.
  • Document the scene
    • Be sure to take photos and videos of the hazardous conditions that caused your accident to occur. In the event that someone saw the accident occur, you will want to ask for their name and contact information, so that they can corroborate your version of events at a later time.
  • File your claim on time
    • The statute of limitations for a personal injury accident in Washington D.C. is typically three years from the date of the accident. Failing to file in time will most likely result in forfeiting your ability to obtain the compensation you need to move forward.

Our legal team can help our clients affected by sidewalk accidents. Reach out to one of our Washington D.C. slip & falls attorney today to discuss your options.

CONTACT OUR EXPERIENCED WASHINGTON D.C. FIRM

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.