Houston Broken Sidewalk Accident Lawyer
Slip, trip, and fall accidents can result in severe injuries. If your slip and fall accident occurred on someone else’s property, that person might be liable for your damages. However, proving that the property owner is liable for your sidewalk accident could be challenging.
The Houston broken sidewalk accident lawyers of Attorney Brian White Personal Injury Lawyers represent clients in premises liability cases involving falls. Our accident lawyers have recovered millions of dollars for our clients. We can work to recover the maximum compensation available for an injury claim.
Call our law office at (713) 500-5000 to schedule a free consultation with one of our Houston broken sidewalk accident attorneys. We will help you hold the parties responsible for your injuries financially liable for their actions.
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How Our Houston Personal Injury Attorneys Can Help After a Sidewalk Accident
A broken sidewalk accident can result in medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, and other damages. You deserve to be compensated for these damages. Our Houston personal injury attorneys at Attorney Brian White Personal Injury Lawyers can help you pursue all liable parties and recover your losses.
When you hire our Houston personal injury lawyers, you can expect us to:
- Investigate the accident to gather evidence and identify the parties liable for your injuries
- File insurance claims and handle all communication with the insurance companies
- Document your damages and calculate the value of your injury claim
- Negotiate with the insurance company and at-fault parties for full compensation
- Pursue the claim in court if that is necessary to protect your best interest
If you were injured in a fall, contact our personal injury law firm to schedule a free case review with one of our Houston broken sidewalk accident attorneys.
What Causes Broken Sidewalk Accidents?
As sidewalks age, they can crack and become damaged. Weather conditions, intentional damage, and heavy items can also cause cracks in sidewalks and parking lots. In addition, roots from trees can grow upwards causing cracks in the sidewalk.
Sidewalk cracks can be dangerous for anyone walking, running, or bicycling on the sidewalk. Common injuries caused by falls on broken sidewalks include:
- Broken bones
- Sprains and strains
- Spinal cord and back injuries
- Traumatic brain damage
- Neck injuries
Even if a property owner does not cause a crack in the sidewalk, they are still responsible for repairing the crack. Property owners who fail to repair broken cracks could be held liable for damages if someone falls and is injured because of the cracks.
Proving a Property Owner Was Negligent and Liable for a Broken Sidewalk
Holding the property owner negligent for a sidewalk accident requires that you prove negligence. Negligence is the failure to act with reasonable care.
The legal elements necessary to establish liability are:
- Duty of care
- Breach of duty of care
- Causation
- Damages
To be successful, you must show that the property owner knew or should have known about the dangerous condition but failed to repair the sidewalk.
Government-Owned Sidewalks Complicate an Accident Claim
It may be difficult to prove that a property owner is responsible for a trip and fall accident on a sidewalk. However, when a government agency is responsible for the sidewalk, there are other requirements for pursuing an injury claim.
First, the deadlines for filing claims are much shorter for cases involving government entities. You must file a notice of claim with the City of Houston within 90 days to preserve your right to seek compensation for damages. The notice must meet specific requirements.
Also, the amount of money you can recover from the government for an injury is limited. Texas laws limit claims against the state and cities to $250,000 per person and $500,000 per incident. Claims against other government agencies are limited to $100,000 per person and $300,000 per incident.
What Damages Could I Receive for a Broken Sidewalk Accident in Houston?
The damages you could receive depends on the facts of your case. Most accident victims are entitled to compensation for damages, including:
- Physical pain and suffering
- Medical bills and expenses
- Emotional and mental anguish
- Loss income, benefits, and future earning potential
- Permanent impairments and disabilities
- Loss of enjoyment of life
The value of your claim could be reduced if you have any responsibility for the cause of your injury. Under Texas contributory fault laws, an accident victim’s compensation is reduced by their percentage of fault. If you are more than 50 percent at fault for your injury, you cannot receive any money for your claim.
What Should You Do if You Fall on a Broken Sidewalk?
If possible, take pictures of the cracked sidewalk. You need evidence proving that the sidewalk was damaged and caused your injury.
Seek medical treatment immediately. You need proof of your injuries for a personal injury claim. Report the accident to the property owner and seek legal advice.
Schedule a Free Consultation With Our Houston Personal Injury Law Firm
Many people do not realize that they can sue for injuries when they fall on a broken sidewalk. Call our Houston personal injury lawyers to discuss your potential personal injury lawsuit if you fell while walking on a sidewalk. It does not cost you anything to learn about your legal options.
