Most of us do not consider simply walking down the sidewalk as a particularly dangerous activity. Unfortunately, many people are injured due to sidewalk accidents every single year. If you find yourself in this unfortunate situation, then you must not hesitate to speak with one of our experienced Pennsylvania personal injury attorneys to learn more about the legal process going forward. Here are some of the questions you may have:
How do sidewalk accidents happen?
Sidewalk accidents can happen for a multitude of reasons, especially with the winter season upon us. When property owners fail to address unsafe sidewalk conditions, including standing water, potholes, cracks or uneven surfaces, and weather-related hazards like snow and ice, people are often injured as a result.
Do I qualify for compensation after a sidewalk accident?
The main qualifier for recovering compensation after an accident is whether you were injured due to another party’s negligence. In Pennsylvania, if you can prove that a property owner failed to remove/fix a safety hazard within a reasonably acceptable period of time and you were injured as a result, there is a very good chance you will be eligible for financial compensation. However, to successfully prove your claim, you will need the assistance of an experienced personal injury attorney who knows how to satisfy the burden of proof. Depending on where your accident occurred, you may either file a lawsuit against a property owner or a municipality. Your attorney can help you determine the liable party.
Once you file your claim, you must be wary of what you post on your social media accounts. In fact, if you can avoid posting altogether until your claim is resolved, you should. Oftentimes, when you file a personal injury claim, insurance companies will watch your accounts to ensure you do not post anything that may contradict your personal injury claim. If you do, there is a very good chance they will use it against you as “proof” that you do not need the compensation.
What does the phrase “statute of limitations” mean?
The phrase “statute of limitations” simply refers to the amount of time individuals have to take legal action against another party. Therefore, since the statute of limitations for personal injury claims in Pennsylvania is two years, you will have two years from the date of your accident to sue the property owner responsible for your injuries. That being said, if you are filing a lawsuit against a municipality, you will have a far smaller window of time to file a lawsuit, so you must do so as soon as you can.
Contact our experienced Pennsylvania firm
Friedman Schuman is an experienced and dedicated legal resource for clients throughout Pennsylvania. We proudly serve clients facing a wide range of legal matters. If you require the services of an effective attorney, please contact Friedman Schuman today to schedule a consultation.
