There is nothing worse than getting hurt in an accident caused by the negligence of another person. Unfortunately, New York City is not the safest place for pedestrians and others. Property owners are in charge of ensuring their sidewalks are pedestrian-friendly, and when they fail to remedy safety hazards timely, it can result in an accident and injury. If you were recently injured in a sidewalk accident please continue reading and reach out to a dedicated Manhattan premises liability lawyer to learn more about sidewalk accidents and how we can help if you have been harmed in one. Here are some of the questions you may have:
How do I know if I will have a valid sidewalk accident claim?
To have a valid sidewalk accident claim, you must be able to prove that the property owner either knew or should have known about the dangerous sidewalk conditions, failed to take action to fix them timely, and that you were injured as a direct result. This isn’t always easy, which is why you should absolutely reach out to a dedicated personal injury lawyer who can help you gather and present evidence to prove your claim. Common examples of dangerous sidewalk conditions include weather-related hazards, potholes, uneven pavement, protruding tree roots, and more. Our firm can use pictures of the safety hazard, surveillance footage of your accident, medical documents, witness testimony, and more to help prove your claim.
Who do I sue if I am injured in such an accident?
In most cases, if you are injured due to dangerous sidewalk conditions, you will sue the property owner adjacent to the sidewalk, as it is frequently their responsibility to maintain the sidewalk. That said, in some cases, sidewalks are owned by municipalities, meaning the city or state is responsible for ensuring their safety. In this case, you will sue NYC for compensation.
How long will I have to file a lawsuit?
If you are injured on a privately-owned sidewalk, you will likely have three years from the date of your accident to sue. However, if you are injured on a sidewalk owned by a municipality, you will likely only have a matter of months to file a Notice of Claim. Don’t wait to file your claim. Simply pick up the phone and give us a call today so we can get started fighting for the compensation you need.
CONTACT OUR EXPERIENCED NEW YORK CITY FIRM
Our entire legal team is dedicated to providing the advice you need and the personalized attention you deserve. If you have been injured due to another party’s negligence, call 212-421-0300 or fill out our contact form to schedule a free consultation with a New York City personal injury lawyer. You may be entitled to financial compensation, which can help you on your road to recovery.