Cracked and damaged sidewalks can be a hazard for anybody but especially to runners who may not notice the danger until it is too late. Many runners in Kentucky choose to hit sidewalks because they are away from the dangers of our roads. However, tripping over a broken piece of sidewalk can lead to serious and life-altering injuries that a runner never expected to face.
Our attorneys at Kaufman & Stigger, PLLC are here to help you get back on your feet after you have suffered from serious injuries due to a running accident. We have worked to receive multi-million settlements for all types of pedestrians, including runners who have been harmed due to accidents that were not their fault. We will help you recover financial support with confidence in your claim.
Causes of Trip and Falls on Kentucky Sidewalks
When you are running, you expect to run on safe surfaces where a severe accident could never occur and turn your life upside-down. Some causes of trip and falls on Kentucky sidewalks include the following:
- Adverse Weather Conditions: When a property owner does not make a reasonable effort to clear hazards after adverse weather, such as ice or snow, a serious trip and fall accident could occur on a sidewalk as someone is running.
- Uneven Sidewalk Surfaces: Even the slightest uneven surface on a sidewalk can catch a runner’s shoe and cause them to go sprawling across a cement surface. This action can lead to severe injuries.
- Damage to Surfaces: Surface damage to sidewalks that cause injuries to runners include bumps, cracks, potholes, and loose gravel.
- Dangerous Obstacles: Dangerous obstacles are sometimes placed on sidewalks such as signage, work tools, garbage, and various other kinds of debris that can lead to a trip and fall.
- Improper Design: Perhaps the sidewalk was damaged from the start due to improper design. A poorly leveled or uncured sidewalk can lead to devastating results when a runner falls.
Who is Responsible for a Damaged Sidewalk That Injures a Runner?
When a trip and fall happens due to damage to a sidewalk, an injured runner may be able to hold the following parties responsible for the harm that they have sustained:
- Property Owners: A homeowner or business owner is responsible for keeping their sidewalk free from harm, which means fixing any damage that occurs on its surface. Reasonable property owners are expected to maintain their sidewalk and inspect it on a regular basis so that damage can be fixed in an effective amount of time.
- Local/Federal Governments: If you were running on a public sidewalk at the time of your accident, a government entity may be responsible for the injuries you have received. It is important that you name the correct entity and file your claim before certain deadlines so that you can be successful in your case.
Damages Available After a Running Accident on a Sidewalk
Even the most seemingly minor injuries caused by a running accident can lead to financial devastation that you never expected. These accidents can also keep a victim out of work for some time, which makes it difficult to receive financial benefits that can help you pay your way after an accident. As such, many runners will find that filing a personal injury claim after an accident can help them achieve financial support that they need during these difficult times.
You may be eligible for the following damages after a running accident:
- Medical expenses you have sustained and those you expect to incur in the future
- Lost wages due to missed time at work
- Loss of earnings if you are unable to return to work
- Costs of permanent disability caused by your injuries
- Travel costs as you go to doctors and specialists
- Pain and suffering caused by your accident
If you are hoping to request financial support for the injuries you have sustained, you must remember that Kentucky has a relatively short statute of limitations. You have one year from the point of discovering your injuries to bring a claim before you are barred from doing so. This is why you should act quickly to retain your rights.
How a Lawyer Can Help After an Accident
If you have been hurt in a running accident due to a damaged sidewalk, you may need legal help to comply with deadlines and stand up to the insurance company. An attorney will be able to assist you with some of the following aspects:
- Investigating the circumstances of your accident
- Gathering necessary evidence that can help you prove your claim
- Give you advice on insurance claims or moving forward with a personal injury claim
- Take your claim to trial if a settlement cannot be reached
- Use of expert witnesses who can back up your claim
Support from Kentucky Runner Injury Lawyers
Our Kentucky runner injury lawyers at Kaufman & Stigger, PLLC understand how overwhelming it can be to face the aftermath of a running accident caused by another party’s negligence. You deserve to be kept safe while running on a public sidewalk. If your life has been upended by injuries caused in a running accident and you believe that another party is responsible, it is important that you take the steps to get started on your personal injury claim. We are here to help. Please contact us to set up a free consultation so that we can answer any questions you have.
