Injured On A New York Sidewalk?
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Many people may have a preconceived idea of how seriously a person can be hurt when one trips and falls on a sidewalk defect or broken pavement. They may view these as minor accidents. The reality is that serious injuries are caused by sidewalk defects and broken pavement every year. In the years before a change in the law in 2003, the City of New York was paying out tens of millions on claims related to sidewalk defects and the accidents they caused.
That change in the law in 2003 took responsibility for sidewalk defects away from the city and placed it on the shoulders of abutting private property owners, unless that property was a one, two or three family home that was being used for residential purposes. In many sidewalk defect cases now, the defendant is a private property owner.
Take These Important Steps After An Accident
If you have been injured by a sidewalk defect or broken pavement in a crosswalk or other location, you need to take certain steps to ensure that your rights are protected and that you preserve your ability to secure compensation:
- Call the police or an ambulance if necessary. Make a report of your accident.
- Do not give a statement except to the police. Avoid going into great detail. All too often people have made costly misstatements because they were in shock after being injured.
- Take pictures of the defect if possible.
- Tell your doctor everything. Failing to disclose an aspect of your injury may give an insurance company the opportunity to argue it was not caused by the accident.
We Have More Than 60 Years Of Combined Experience
At Sakkas, Cahn & Weiss, LLP, our attorneys are skilled at helping our clients secure the full compensation they deserve after being injured by a sidewalk defect or broken pavement. With more than 60 years of combined experience, we know how to build strong cases against the government as well as private property owners. We know how to conduct the thorough investigations that can meet all applicable notice requirements and other hurdles that confront your case.
Talk With Our Attorneys Today
If you or a loved one has been injured in a trip-and-fall accident on a defective sidewalk or broken pavement, choose a personal injury attorney who understands how to create accountability. The New York sidewalk accident lawyers of Sakkas, Cahn & Weiss, LLP, offer our clients the superior representation they can put their faith in. To schedule a free initial consultation, call 212-571-7171 or contact us online.
We collect attorney fees only when we secure compensation for you.
