Sidewalk accidents are one of the most common types of pedestrian accidents that city dwellers face. Whether you’re walking your dog, running errands, or taking a leisurely stroll, city sidewalks can be hazardous to pedestrians. That’s why it’s important for city residents to know what they should do if they suffer an injury on city property due to someone else’s negligence or carelessness. In this article, you’ll learn who can be legally responsible for your injuries and how you should react when you have been hurt in a city sidewalk accident.

Check For Injuries

Sidewalk accidents happen all around The Big Apple on a daily basis and they can cause some trauma. Almost every slip and fall lawyer in New York City will explain to you that you are entitled to compensation when something like this happens due to someone else’s negligence. You need to check and document any injuries you may have suffered as a result of the fall. This is key to winning your case should you decide to pursue one.

Here’s what kind of injuries can happen to you:

• Bruises and cuts
• Head injury
• Broken bones
• Back, neck, and spinal cord injuries
• Muscle injuries

These are just some common examples, so be sure to document any and all injuries no matter how minor they may seem at first. You don’t want anything left undocumented if you do choose to file a lawsuit down the road.

Call The Authorities

It’s essential that you get the police involved if you’ve been involved in a city sidewalk accident. They will run an investigation and determine who is legally responsible for the accident. If you try to handle things on your own, it could end up being a long and difficult process. Let the professionals take care of it!

Once they’re done, get a copy of their report and use it in order to file a city sidewalk accident claim. This way, you’ll have all the information that’s needed on hand so that your insurance company can start processing the claim right away.

Document The Scene

Never forget to also document the scene of the accident yourself. Make sure you are careful to avoid further injuries but take pictures of everything. Take a few steps back and picture your city sidewalk accident in its entirety. This will help when attempting to identify the responsible party later on.

If possible, try to get close enough to note any identifying information about the other vehicle involved in the city sidewalk accident. Take pictures from all angles to showcase that the place you were walking through is dangerous and hazardous and that the consequences you’ve suffered could have been worse.

Gather Information From Witnesses

In big cities, there will always be people walking by the same time as you’ve had your accident. Make sure to get a statement from them and get their contact information. They may be considered eyewitnesses to the accident and might have valuable information for your case if it comes down to that.

If you can, try gathering as many names of people who witnessed the sidewalk incident as well so that you’ll know exactly how much liability falls on each person involved in this type of legal matter.

File A Personal Injury Claim

When you have it all on paper, it’s time to file a personal slip and fall injury claim. You can file one on your own, or you might opt to get a lawyer involved early in the process so they can handle filing for you.

Legal counseling is recommended in these situations. In any case, filing a claim is the best way to protect your rights and interests when you’ve been involved in an accident on public property. Even if it seems there is little chance of getting financial gain from filing a sidewalk injury claim, do not give up hope right away.

Who Is Legally Responsible For Sidewalk Accidents?

The legal liability for these accidents falls on either the city if it’s a public sidewalk or on the owner of the property. They are the ones responsible for keeping the sidewalks clear of any obstruction and safe for pedestrians. If a property owner does not take reasonable care in clearing the snow or ice from their sidewalk, they may be held liable if someone is injured as a result.

If you are injured on a city sidewalk, it’s important to contact the municipality responsible as soon as possible. They will likely have an insurance policy that will cover your medical expenses and other damages. However, it’s always best to speak with an attorney beforehand to find out what your legal options are.

Sidewalk accidents happen every day and they’re luckily not as deadly as other types, but they can have serious consequences. That’s why the first thing you need to do is check if you were injured and how severely after which it’s time to call the police. Get a report from them and snap some photos yourself while also recording what the witnesses have to say. When you have all the proof, you should file an injury claim. Remember, you are not responsible for the accident, the owners are!