When walking along a sidewalk, one usually would not even consider it a dangerous activity. However, if these sidewalks are not properly upheld, have not been cleared of heavy snow and ice, or contain any other potentially dangerous elements, someone could easily sustain a slip and fall injury.
Unfortunately, even for healthy individuals, slip and fall injuries can result in significant medical expenses, recovery time off from work, and a generally frustrating course of events. Luckily, you can prevent this. If you’ve ever been a victim of a sidewalk slip and fall accident, you should contact a qualified slip and fall attorney today. These legal experts will make sure you get every penny to which you are entitled and guide you along your path to recovery from your accident.
Who is Responsible for Maintaining Public Sidewalks?
Usually, it is a property owner’s responsibility to clear their sidewalks of snow and ice during winter months, when sidewalk slip and fall accidents are very common. These property owners must also maintain the integrity of their sidewalks at all times of the year, ensuring that they are always safe for the public to walk on.
Of course, there are times when sidewalks develop cracks and become unsafe. Property owners might not immediately be aware of the issue. But once they’ve been alerted to the danger, they are required to address the issue within a reasonable timeframe.
What Makes Slip and Fall Cases So Hard to Navigate?
There are two main reasons why slip and fall cases can leave victims in a rough situation:
1. They are proving Liability.
In many slip and fall cases, it’s very apparent who was responsible, and it’s easy to show if they demonstrated negligence that led to the victim’s accident. Alternatively, many slip and fall accidents require a thorough investigation to determine whether other factors may have led to the accident besides the property owner’s negligence. For example, if the victim was trespassing when they were injured, they likely have no case.
2. Dealing with Insurance Companies.
Insurance companies want to open and shut these cases as quickly and for as little money as possible. Almost immediately after your accident, the property owner’s insurance company will most likely approach you with a settlement offer. These offers tend to be much lower than is required to recover lost wages and medical expenses.
It is imperative to have a good lawyer on your team throughout the slip and fall proceedings for these reasons above. The law surrounding these cases is complicated, and slip and fall attorneys have dealt with all kinds of cases, so they know what to expect.
Conclusion
Any accident can be devastating to a victim. But slip and fall cases are particularly difficult, and the damage can potentially last for the rest of a victim’s life. Don’t let a slip and fall case put you in debt! Call an experienced slip and fall attorney today to receive a consultation about your accident.