Unfortunately, slip and fall accidents, such as sidewalk accidents, are relatively common in the state of Texas, and those who have been hurt in them often are unsure of what to do or where to turn. If you sustained serious injuries due to dangerous sidewalk conditions, continue reading to discover how an experienced Kaufman County, Texas slip & fall lawyer at Harrell & Paulson, LLP can help you file a premises liability claim.
Who Is Responsible for Dangerous Sidewalk Conditions in The State of Texas?
A common misconception is that the government or municipality is responsible for dangerous sidewalk conditions. Actually, the residential or commercial property owner would be responsible, as they hold the responsibility of ensuring that their premises are safe and free of any safety hazards. Common examples of dangerous sidewalk conditions that may lead to injuries and accidents read as follows:
Weather-related hazards, such as snow and/or ice, were left uncleared.
Spills or liquids were left uncleared.
Debris was left uncleared.
Exposed tree roots, or tree roots that raised sidewalks.
Potholes or uneven pavement.
What Steps Should I Take After Injury from Dangerous Sidewalk Conditions?
To build a strong premises liability claim that will grant you the financial compensation that you require to heal, you must satisfy the burden of proof. That is, you must collect enough evidence to prove that the property owner either knew or should have reasonably known about the dangerous sidewalk conditions and neglected to fix them in a timely manner, which caused you to sustain injuries, economic damages, and non-economic damages. With that being said, follow the below steps immediately after your accident:
Call 911: the police will dispatch an ambulance and file an official accident report. You should collect this report later on.
Capture the scene: take photos and videos of your injuries, damages, and dangerous sidewalk conditions that contributed to your slip and fall.
Collect witness contact information: this includes their name and number. You should reach out to them to provide witness testimony later on.
Seek medical treatment: do so at the scene and afterward, as some injuries take a few days to set in. You should collect this medical documentation and bills later on.
Contact our firm: reach out to a skilled Kaufman, Texas personal injury lawyer to help you collect any other necessary evidence, such as surveillance footage of your accident.
What is the statute of limitations in the state of Texas?
You must keep in mind the statute of limitations for premises liability claims in the state of Texas, which is generally two years from the date of your accident. And if your accident occurred on a sidewalk owned by the government or a municipality, then you must file a notice of claim within six months of the date of your injury. Failure to do so will bar you from suing.
Contact Our Kaufman County Firm Today
For vigorous defenses for personal injury, criminal, divorce, or estate planning matters, contact Harrell & Paulson, LLP today to schedule your free case evaluation.
