Your Walkway Accident Is Worth The Fight
While we can rely on cars, ride shares, and public transportation to get around, walking is still part of the journey. Sometimes, it is simply not possible to avoid a specific walkway or sidewalk to get to your intended destination.
As cautious as pedestrians may be, many people experience walking-related accidents that result in serious injuries. Tripping while walking may seem like nothing more than an everyday occurrence, but the sidewalk and parking lot injuries are often the result of neglected safety.
Depending on the cause of your accident, there may have been a responsible party who failed to ensure your safe walking experience.
If you’ve been injured in a sidewalk accident, you may be entitled to recover various types of damages. These damages can help compensate for the financial, physical, and emotional impact of your injuries. Here are the common types of damages you can recover:
- Medical Expenses:
- Costs for emergency care, hospital stays, surgeries, medication, physical therapy, and any future medical treatments related to the injury.
- Lost Wages:
- Compensation for the income you lost while recovering from your injuries. This also includes future lost earning potential if you are unable to return to work or must take a lower-paying job due to your injuries.
- Pain and Suffering:
- Compensation for physical pain and emotional distress resulting from the accident and your injuries. This can include ongoing pain, anxiety, depression, and other psychological impacts.
- Loss of Enjoyment of Life:
- If your injuries prevent you from enjoying daily activities, hobbies, and other pleasures of life, you may be compensated for this loss.
- Disability and Disfigurement:
- Compensation if the accident caused permanent disability or significant disfigurement, affecting your quality of life and ability to perform daily activities.
- Loss of Consortium:
- Damages awarded to your spouse or family members for the loss of companionship and support resulting from your injuries.
- Out-of-Pocket Expenses:
- Any additional costs incurred due to the accident, such as transportation to medical appointments, home modifications, or hiring help for daily activities.
- Rehabilitation and Therapy Costs:
- Expenses for ongoing rehabilitation services, occupational therapy, and other therapeutic treatments needed for recovery.
- Property Damage:
- If any personal property, such as clothing, electronics, or other items, was damaged in the accident, you might be entitled to compensation for repair or replacement costs.
- Punitive Damages:
- In cases where the responsible party’s actions were particularly reckless or egregious, punitive damages might be awarded to punish the wrongdoer and deter similar behavior in the future.
Recovering these damages typically involves negotiating with insurance companies or pursuing a legal claim against the responsible party, such as the property owner or municipality responsible for maintaining the sidewalk. An experienced personal injury attorney can help you navigate this process and ensure you receive the compensation you deserve.
To have your accident properly assessed, you should contact an experienced personal injury attorney who can help you determine liability in your accident and help you recover any compensation you may be owed.
Experienced North Carolina Attorneys Familiar With Walkway Hazards
The attorneys at O’Malley Tunstall, PC have seen a variety of personal injury cases in Raleigh and throughout the state. With close to 35 years of experience, we are skilled in finding evidence that identifies liable parties and is determined to protect the rights of the injured no matter what circumstances they are facing.
Below are some common examples of safety hazards that lead to accidents on sidewalks, parking lots, or walkways:
- Uneven Surfaces: Cracks, potholes, and uneven pavement can cause trips and falls.
- Wet or Icy Conditions: Water, ice, snow, and spills can make surfaces slippery, increasing the risk of slips and falls.
- Debris and Obstructions: Litter, fallen leaves, loose gravel, or other debris can create tripping hazards.
- Poor Lighting: Insufficient lighting can make it difficult to see obstacles, increasing the risk of accidents, especially at night.
- Damaged or Missing Handrails: Broken or absent handrails on steps or ramps can cause loss of balance and falls.
- Construction Hazards: Unmarked construction zones, loose construction materials, or inadequate barriers can pose risks to pedestrians.
- Tree Roots: Roots that grow under sidewalks or walkways can lift the pavement, creating tripping hazards.
- Improperly Placed Signage: Signs that block the walkway or are placed at head height can cause collisions.
- Oil or Grease Spills: Particularly in parking lots, oil or grease spills can create extremely slippery surfaces.
- Poor Drainage: Water pooling due to poor drainage can lead to slippery surfaces and hidden hazards.
- Inadequate Maintenance: Neglecting regular maintenance can lead to the accumulation of hazards like cracks, debris, or ice.
- Loose or Missing Tiles or Bricks: In areas with tiled or brick walkways, loose or missing pieces can cause trips and falls.
- Overgrown Vegetation: Bushes, tree branches, or other vegetation that encroach onto walkways can obstruct paths and create tripping hazards.
- Improperly Designed Ramps: Ramps without proper slope, traction, or handrails can be dangerous, especially for individuals with mobility issues.
- Parking Lot Marking Issues: Faded or unclear markings can lead to confusion and accidents, particularly for pedestrians navigating between cars.
Whether the accident happened on a privately owned parking lot or a public sidewalk, you may be able to hold either a property owner or even the city government liable for neglecting your safety.
Our Walkway Accident Lawyers Are Ready To Represent You
To have an experienced sidewalk accident lawyer evaluate your accident, you can contact our firm to schedule a free initial consultation. You can call either our Raleigh pedestrian accident lawyer at 919-701-0401, our Tarboro office at or toll-free at . Alternatively, you can also send us a message online