Slip and Fall Accident Attorneys in Cherry Hill, NJ
Slip and fall accidents are often more serious than many people realize. These accidents can result in severe, life-threatening injuries. Slip and falls can happen anywhere, whether it be in a parking lot, a neighbor’s home, or in a supermarket. The dangers that lie in a slip and fall accident are serious and the responsible party needs to be held liable. In New Jersey, victims of slip and fall accidents are responsible for proving that the property owner was negligent and their actions caused you to become injured. Retaining assistance from an experienced personal injury attorney is essential as they will help you collect evidence that proves your case if you cannot act for yourself. The burden of proof is a very difficult factor to deal with when you are trying to recover from your injuries. Our firm is here to guide you every step of the way. Contact Underwood & Micklin to schedule a consultation today.
Sidewalk Accidents
As a pedestrian using a sidewalk in New Jersey, we presume that we will not be injured by simply walking down the street. If a sidewalk is damaged and not repaired, a pedestrian can easily become seriously injured. Sidewalk accidents often occur because of debris left for pedestrians to trip over, snow or ice that was not removed, among other unresolved problems. Regarding weather events, if you made the choice to walk on sidewalks during a specific time period allotted to property owners for clean up, you may not be able to hold them accountable. For example, if there was an ice storm and you chose to walk down the sidewalk in the middle of the storm, you took that risk and the property owner will most likely not be accountable. However, if a few days have passed and the property owner has not removed ice or snow, you may have a valid case. When the sidewalk you were injured on is owned by a municipality, you may need to file a notice of claim within 90 days of the accident, telling the town that you will take legal action. Your attorney can help you find evidence that there was a dangerous condition present on a sidewalk.
Parking Lot Accidents
Many New Jersey residents walk through a parking lot every day and think nothing of it. However, when a parking lot is not properly maintained by the owner, passersby may be put in danger. Anyone walking across a parking lot is susceptible to the dangers that lie within. If the property owner fails to maintain the safety of the parking lot from snow and ice, loose debris, potholes, or other dangerous conditions, a person walking may slip or trip and fall. The injured person will be required to prove that the property owner was negligent. If you need assistance in proving negligence for a slip and fall case, contact our firm.
Snow & Ice Accidents
Snow and ice accidents are arguably the most common cause of slip and fall accidents during New Jersey’s long winters. After a slip and fall accident, an injured person may be facing multiple surgeries, lengthy rehabilitation, time out of work, and loss of quality of life. Each town provides a different allotment of time for the clean up after the storm. If you are injured because you risked walking in that time, you may not be able to bring a lawsuit against the owner. However, it is still worth speaking to an experienced personal injury attorney. If you were injured after the grace period ended, you may be able to bring a case and recover compensation for noneconomic and economic damages.
Supermarket Accidents
The last thing most people think of when they think of grocery shopping is the danger that lies in the store. However, every year, thousands of people are injured in supermarkets across the country. When there is a spill, a poorly stocked shelf, or loose produce that has been left unattended by store workers, shoppers can become seriously injured. If the store failed to resolve dangerous conditions which caused you to become injured, you may be able to bring a lawsuit against them. Remember, make sure you inform the store management that you were injured before leaving the store. You will have the burden of proof in showing that the supermarket was negligent in keeping their store safe.
Municipal Accidents
Personal injury cases that involve municipalities are often some of the most complex. The added layer of complication in bringing a personal injury case against a municipality is that you must submit a Notice of Claim within 90 days from the date of your accident. If you fail to do so, you may not be able to bring a lawsuit for your injuries, which may mean missing out on valuable compensation.
Proving Your Slip and Fall Case
Anyone who intends to bring an injury lawsuit against a negligent party is subject to the burden of proof. This means that you will have to provide evidence that will show that the property owner failed to maintain a safe property. If you can prove that the owner knew or should have reasonably known that there was a dangerous condition on their property, you may have a successful case. Be sure to file as soon as possible because if you fail to file within 2 years from the date of the accident, you may lose your opportunity to bring a lawsuit.
Collecting Evidence to Prove Your Case
As mentioned time and time again, anyone with intentions to bring a personal injury case must prove that the property owner was negligent in maintaining safe grounds. Upon being injured, you should get the medical assistance you need immediately. The emergency personnel will document your injuries, where you were injured, what time the accident occurred, and how you were injured. This information can be critical when proving your case. If you are able to do so without causing further physical injury, you should take photos and videos of the area and the condition that caused you to become injured. It is important to try and do this before leaving the scene of the accident because the property owner may move things around when you leave and try to cover up the dangerous conditions. You may also want to get the contact information of any witnesses that saw the accident take place. Some other resources to gather evidence from include surveillance cameras and weather reports.
Contact a South Jersey Personal Injury Attorney
Underwood & Micklin is ready to fight for the future of any clients facing slip and fall legal issues. We know that a personal injury can have a serious impact on a person’s quality of life and their ability to provide for their family. Our attorneys will represent you to the best of our ability and work hard to help you recover a maximum compensation award for your injuries. Contact Underwood & Micklin today for a consultation.
