An uneven sidewalk can pose serious risks for pedestrians, often leading to trips, slips, or falls that result in injury. Whether you’re walking in a residential neighborhood, a commercial area, or a public park, an uneven or damaged sidewalk can quickly turn a normal stroll into a hazardous situation. If you find yourself injured after a sidewalk accident, it’s important to take the right steps to protect your health, gather evidence, and potentially pursue compensation for your injuries. Here’s what to do after an uneven sidewalk injury in Denver.
1. Seek Medical Attention Immediately
Your health and safety should be your top priority following any accident.
Even if your injuries seem minor, it’s essential to seek medical attention as soon as possible. Some injuries, such as concussions, fractures, or internal damage, may not be immediately visible but can worsen without proper care.
Visit a doctor or go to the emergency room to get evaluated. Keep records of your medical visits, diagnoses, and treatment plans, as these documents will be critical if you decide to file a personal injury claim later on.
2. Report the Incident
It’s important to report the uneven sidewalk and your injury to the appropriate authorities or property owners. If the accident occurred on public property, you may need to contact the city or municipality responsible for maintaining the sidewalk. For sidewalks on private property, inform the property owner or business where the incident took place.
Make sure to provide a clear, detailed account of the incident when reporting the accident. This creates an official record, which may be useful if you decide to pursue legal action or an insurance claim.
3. Document the Scene
To support any future claims or lawsuits, you’ll need to gather evidence that shows the condition of the sidewalk and the cause of your injury. Start by taking photographs of the uneven or damaged sidewalk from different angles. Be sure to capture the specific hazard that caused your fall, such as cracks, raised sections, or missing slabs.
Additionally, photograph any visible injuries, such as cuts, bruises, or swelling, and keep any clothing or shoes that may have been damaged during the fall. If there were any witnesses present, collect their contact information and ask for their account of the incident. Witness statements can help corroborate your version of events if there’s a dispute about what happened.
4. Consider Liability
Determining who is responsible for an uneven sidewalk can be tricky. In many cases, it’s the local government or municipality that is responsible for maintaining public sidewalks. However, in some areas, private property owners or homeowners associations may be responsible for the upkeep of sidewalks adjacent to their property.
Consulting with a personal injury attorney can help you figure out who is liable for your injury and whether you have grounds for a legal claim. If negligence is involved—such as a failure to repair a known hazard or failure to properly maintain the sidewalk—you may be entitled to compensation for your medical expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering.
5. File an Insurance Claim or Lawsuit
Once you’ve gathered evidence and sought medical treatment, you may want to file an insurance claim or consider legal action. In cases where the local government is responsible for maintaining the sidewalk, you may need to file a claim with the city’s insurance or follow their procedures for reporting injuries. Keep in mind that claims against government entities often have strict deadlines, so it’s important to act quickly.
If the injury occurred on private property, you may be able to file a claim with the property owner’s insurance. Should the insurance claim process not yield satisfactory results, your next step may be filing a personal injury lawsuit.
