Slip and fall accidents are some of the most common accidents that a person could potentially suffer. When these accidents occur on a hard surface like a sidewalk, the result can be extensive injuries and costly medical bills. After a slip and fall accident on a sidewalk, it’s likely that you’re considering a lawsuit, which means you need to decide who was liable for your accident.
Assigning liability in a slip and fall accident can be a complicated matter, meaning you need to learn more about these cases. Discover who might be liable in your sidewalk slip and fall accident and make sure to plan your lawsuit with the help of a personal injury attorney.
Slips Involving Ice and Snow
The most common cause of a slip and fall accident that occurs on a sidewalk is when someone slips on ice and snow that has been allowed to accumulate. After slipping on an icy sidewalk, most people assume that fault lies with their city or municipality. However, this isn’t always the case.
When ice or snow falls, your city is only required to clear sidewalks that are located on city property or in front of city buildings. This means you will only be able to sue your city if your fall happened in either of these locations. If your slip and fall accident took place on a sidewalk that is located on private property, you would bring your lawsuit against the owner of the property.
Wherever your fall occurred, you need to be sure to collect evidence immediately after your accident. Snow and ice can melt very quickly, and if you don’t document the scene of the accident right away, you may lose crucial pieces of evidence.
Falls on Broken Sidewalks
It’s also possible to suffer a slip and fall accident due to a poorly maintained sidewalk. When a slip and fall accident is caused by a broken or cracked sidewalk, your city will be liable since they are legally required to maintain the integrity of the sidewalk system.
Depending on the circumstances of your fall, you may be able to file a claim based on negligence. While it’s common for sidewalks to experience some cracking over time, large holes and breaks in the sidewalk should not be ignored. If a city allows these dangerous conditions to persist, you might have grounds for a negligence claim.
Meeting Filing Deadlines
If you believe that you have grounds for a lawsuit against your city, you will need to be aware of the deadlines for filing a notice of claim. Most cities and municipalities require that you file your notice of claim within thirty days of your accident. Ignoring this deadline will likely eliminate your eligibility for filing a personal injury suit.
Make sure your notice is filed on time, and with the right information, by hiring a personal injury attorney for help with your case.
Hire a Personal Injury Attorney
Whether you are considering a lawsuit against your city or a private property owner, you need to discuss your case with a personal injury attorney.
We offer free consultations and you’ll never owe us anything unless we win your case. You can reach us at 207-775-3819 or fill out our free case review form.
