Whether you are running an errand, making your commute to work or school, or just getting some exercise, you have a right to expect that the sidewalks and other pedestrian infrastructure you use along the way will be in reasonably good condition. Unfortunately, sidewalks in urban areas like Reno are not always maintained properly, and that can sometimes make them difficult and even outright dangerous to use.
If you are dealing with injuries you recently suffered from a sidewalk fall in Reno, you may have questions about what you should do next or what your rights are. Fortunately, custom-tailored legal support is available from the dedicated Reno slip and fall accident lawyers at Shook & Stone. We have decades of experience helping people like you recover from accidents.
What to Do After Slipping or Tripping on a Dangerous Sidewalk
In the immediate aftermath of a sidewalk trip and fall in Reno, our personal injury lawyers in Reno suggest getting professional medical attention for any injuries you sustained should always be your top priority. If possible, though, it can be helpful to take a few preliminary evidence-gathering steps before leaving the scene of the accident. For example:
- Taking photos of the hazard that caused you to fall
- Checking if any nearby security cameras may have recorded the accident as it happened
- Getting contact information from any witnesses who saw you slip or trip and fall
It can also be important to preserve the clothing and shoes you were wearing when you fell, since you may need them later to show that you were not wearing anything that made you especially likely to trip and fall. Finally, you should keep copies not just of medical records detailing treatment you received for your injuries, but also of any:
- Bills or receipts from injury-related expenses
- Timesheets or pay stubs to establish lost working income
- Property damaged from your fall
Is It Possible to Sue the City Over a Sidewalk Injury?
Most of the time, slip and fall lawsuits name the owner of the land where the fall occurred as the primary defendant who should be held liable. With sidewalk falls in particular, though, it is not uncommon for the party most directly liable for the incident to be the city of Reno itself or, more specifically, whatever part of the city’s government was responsible for maintaining a specific stretch of public sidewalk.
The Nevada Tort Claims Act allows people injured through the negligence of government employees to sue over those injuries just like they could if they had been hurt by the negligence of a private citizen. However, there are unique rules applicable to these sorts of claims that do not apply to standard personal injury litigation, so it can be especially important to have help from a seasoned lawyer when suing a government body over a sidewalk slip and fall in Reno.
Suffered a Fall on a Sidewalk in Reno? Our Attorneys Can Help
Even small cracks, depressions, or rises in a sidewalk block can be enough to make someone lose their footing, fall, and suffer serious injuries. No matter how your sidewalk fall in Reno happened or who is at fault, you may have significant trouble getting paid what you deserve for your damages if you try to file suit over your accident alone.
Working closely with the capable lawyers at Shook & Stone will dramatically increase your chances of getting a favorable outcome from your claim. Call today to learn more.
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