A slip or fall can lead to serious injuries, including spinal cord damage, paralysis, a concussion, broken bones and more. One of the most common causes of a slip, trip or fall is a dangerous sidewalk or unsafe pavement walkway.
Typically accidents on dangerous sidewalks could have been prevented if the property owner hadn’t been neglectful in maintaining the sidewalk.
In Pittsburgh. it is especially important for property owners to clear their sidewalks of ice and snow for pedestrians, but other types of broken or raised sidewalks also cause many people to fall and get seriously injured.
Causes of Dangerous Sidewalk Accidents
Causes of accidents on sidewalks or pavement could stem from a variety of unsafe issues. Common types of problematic sidewalks include:
- Snow or ice
- Raised sidewalks
- Cracked sidewalks
- Broken sidewalks
- Uneven manhole covers
- Potholes
- Raised tree roots
A slip or fall accident may also be the result of other unsafe conditions, such as broken railings or steps or dangerous decks.
Whether you have been injured on a dangerous sidewalk owned by an individual, municipality or business, our premises liability attorneys are here to answer your questions and provide a free case evaluation. We do not collect any fees unless we win money for you. We can help you decide which actions to take in order to recover medical costs, pain and suffering damages and lost wages.
Proving Fault in Slip and Fall Sidewalk Accidents
If a sidewalk is not cleared of ice or snow, it is important to determine who owns the sidewalk and/or who bears the responsibility to maintain the sidewalk. Generally, if a sidewalk is in a residential area, it is the responsibility of the property owner to clear the sidewalk, not the municipality. But if it is a business or commercial property, it may generally be the responsibility of either the municipality or the business owner to maintain the sidewalk.
In order to prove fault, first the property has to be proven to be unreasonably safe. Taking pictures immediately after the accident of the unsafe area is a top priority in being able to gather strong evidence. Pictures should also be taken of the injuries caused by the fall. In order to prove fault, the plaintiff must also prove that the property owner knew of the unsafe condition or should have reasonably known.
People or businesses that have been negligent with their property should be held accountable, especially if the accident could repeat itself and harm another innocent person.
Gathering evidence when you are already injured can be a burden. If you have been seriously injured from a slip or fall accident on a dangerous sidewalk call our accident attorneys today for a free case evaluation. In certain circumstances, you may only have a limited time to file a case, so call us immediately.
Pittsburgh Sidewalk Accident Attorneys
A slip or fall can lead to serious injuries, including spinal cord damage, paralysis, a concussion, broken bones and more. One of the most common causes of a slip, trip or fall is a dangerous sidewalk or unsafe pavement walkway. Typically accidents on dangerous sidewalks could have been prevented if the property owner hadn’t been neglectful in maintaining the sidewalk.
In Pittsburgh. it is especially important for property owners to clear their sidewalks of ice and snow for pedestrians, but other types of broken or raised sidewalks also cause many people to fall and get seriously injured. The slip and fall accident attorneys at SMT Legal understand how frustrating and painful it is to be in a serious accident. We believe that negligent property owners should be held responsible for accidents that happen on their property. Schedule a free consultation today.