Sidewalks exist to help pedestrians get to where they need to without sharing the road with cars, trucks, or buses. But what happens when a sidewalk causes you to fall and seriously hurt yourself? You might need to get medical attention and miss work. Is anyone else responsible for the cost of your injuries?
In these cases, you should contact a lawyer familiar with sidewalk slip and fall accidents in Houston. One of our skilled slip and fall attorneys could answer your questions and help guide you through a personal injury lawsuit against the people legally responsible for your accident.
What Causes a Sidewalk Fall?
Harsh winters and hot summers can be hard on sidewalks, leading to large cracks and potholes. Roots of trees can also crack sidewalks, leading to some raised sections. Over time, sidewalks can become uneven, which can cause unsuspecting pedestrians to trip and fall. Sidewalk falls can also happen when the property owner leaves debris in the sidewalk or fails to clear snow and ice in a timely manner.
Liability
The private property owner, business, or government entity responsible for maintaining the sidewalk could be legally liable for any resulting injuries. An injured party might also be able to file a claim against the company or government agency that constructed the sidewalk in a defective manner.
A Houston could determine who is legally responsible by performing a thorough investigation of the slip and fall accident on the sidewalk. In this investigation, a lawyer could speak with witnesses and with other people familiar with the property to learn more about how long the sidewalk had a hazardous condition on it. The dedicated lawyer could tirelessly search for evidence to prove liability.
Types of Injuries that People Experience from Falling on Sidewalks
Although a simple tripping accident may not seem severe, slips and falls on sidewalks can cause a variety of injuries, from small cuts to serious head injuries. Defective sidewalks can lead to the following types of injuries:
- Bruising
- Head injuries
- Back and neck injuries
- Cuts and lacerations, which can cause disfiguring scars
- Broken bones – people who fall often put out their hands to try to break the severity of their fall, which can lead to broken wrists, hands, or hips
A Houston lawyer could meet with someone who slipped and fell on a defective sidewalk and learn about how the accident has affected their life. An initial discussion could help them pursue a damages award that adequately represents the true value of their losses. The legal team could negotiate a fair settlement offer that covers the cost of current and future anticipated medical bills, lost wages, mental anguish, disability, decreased quality of life, and pain and suffering.
Sadly, in rare instances, people who fall on sidewalks die from their injuries. Compassionate local attorneys understand how traumatic losing a loved one can be and could work closely with surviving family members to get them the compensation they deserve.
Reach Out to a Houston Attorney After a Sidewalk Slip and Fall
If you experienced a serious injury from a sidewalk slip and fall accident in Houston, somebody else might be responsible for the cost of your losses.
A well-versed attorney could investigate your accident and help you determine whether it is in your best interest to pursue a legal claim for compensation. Reach out to the legal team today to set up a meeting.