Denver Sidewalk Accident Lawyer

Sidewalk accidents are a major cause of injury in Denver premises liability claims. Denver’s sidewalks can contain defects that compromise their safety and create trip and fall hazards for customers at a business, property guests and the public in general. If you suffer an injury in a sidewalk accident anywhere in Denver, you may have the right to file a claim against the person or party responsible for the premises with the help of a Denver sidewalk accident attorney.

What Causes Sidewalk Accidents?

Sidewalk accidents can arise due to issues with a sidewalk’s design, structure or surface. Common causes of sidewalk accidents include:

• Defective sidewalk design
• Cracked or broken concrete
• Uneven surfaces or curbs
• Holes or displaced sections of sidewalk
• Tree roots coming up through the sidewalk
• Slippery surfaces (e.g., ice or snow)
• Debris or obstacles left on the sidewalk
• Inadequate street lighting
• Dangerous sidewalk construction zones

Oftentimes, these incidents occur due to poor property maintenance. If a property owner fails to regularly inspect sidewalks or ignores sidewalk defects, this can create accident risks and liability issues.

Sidewalk Accidents Can Cause Serious Injuries

Tripping or slipping and falling on a sidewalk in Denver can lead to life-altering injuries. Many people try to catch themselves when they fall, leading to injuries such as wrist fractures. Any part of the body that comes in contact with the ground could sustain injury. Examples of injuries include:

• Bone fractures: the hips, elbows, wrists, knees and other bones can break from contact with the ground in a fall accident. In 2019, 83 percent of hip fracture deaths were caused by falls.
• Head and brain injuries: falls are the number one cause of traumatic brain injuries (TBIs). Concussions, contusions, skull fractures, bleeding or swelling in the brain, and other TBIs can occur if the victim hits his or her head in the fall accident.
• Back and spine injuries: herniated and ruptured disks, muscle sprains and strains, and severe spinal cord injuries can occur, resulting in chronic pain, mobility issues or even permanent paralysis.
• Soft-tissue injuries: the soft tissues of the body – including the muscles, ligaments and tendons – are vulnerable to injuries such as sprains and strains in fall accidents.

Children and the elderly are especially vulnerable to serious injuries in sidewalk fall accidents. However, a dangerous sidewalk could inflict severe injuries on anyone who slips or trips and falls.

Who Is Liable for a Sidewalk Accident in Denver?

Property owners in Colorado have a legal obligation to take proper care of their premises, including any sidewalks located on the property. Before welcoming guests to the premises, the owner has a responsibility to inspect for new or unknown defects, repair discovered hazards, and warn people of potential injury risks. The failure to do so can expose the property owner to liability (legal responsibility) for a related accident, including a sidewalk accident.

If your fall occurs on public property in Denver, the government may be held liable. Although the law of sovereign immunity protects the government in Colorado from liability, there are circumstances where this immunity can be waived, including if a public agency was negligent. Suing the government for damages after a sidewalk accident is a complex process that comes with unique rules; it is important to contact an attorney for assistance.

Why Do You Need a Sidewalk Accident Lawyer?

Hiring an experienced premises liability lawyer in Denver can make it easier for you to prove your claim against a private property owner or the government. Your Denver personal injury lawyer can investigate the incident, determine fault and collect evidence against a negligent property owner on your behalf. Then, your lawyer can negotiate a fair settlement for you or take your premises liability claim to court, if necessary.

For information about a specific sidewalk accident case in Denver, contact the Denver sidewalk accident attorney at Fang Accident Lawyers.