Slip and Fall Accident Attorneys in Hackensack, NJ
Slip and fall accidents in New Jersey can happen in places that seem very safe yet can actually be quite serious and have long-term impacts on the victim’s life. Slip and falls can happen anywhere from a parking lot to a neighbor’s home to a supermarket. The dangers that lie in a slip and fall accident are severe and the responsible party needs to be held liable. Retaining assistance from an experienced personal injury attorney can make or break your case, as they will have the means to help you find evidence to prove your case. The legal team at McNerney & McAuliffe have nearly 50 years of combined experience representing clients who have been seriously injured on someone else’s property. To schedule a consultation with our experienced legal team, contact our firm today.
Slip and Fall Accidents
In New Jersey, slip and fall accidents happen every day. If you have been the victim of a slip and fall accident, you have a lot to consider about your future and you need to protect yourself. Most cases of slip and fall injuries will occur on a pedestrian surface like a street, sidewalk, or parking facility. Slip and fall accidents can also take place in a number of other locations, such as a supermarket, hotel, retail store, an apartment building, or someone else’s private residence. They are often caused by conditions that may include:
- Inclement weather conditions that have not been attended to
- Faulty stairwells
- Inadequate security
- Uneven pavement and cracked surfaces, including potholes
- Poor lighting
- Debris, oil, or other hazards.
Premises Liability in New Jersey
According to New Jersey state laws, a property owner is responsible for keeping their surfaces clear of hazardous conditions, to a reasonable extent. If a property owner knew or should have known about a hazard, they may be liable for the injury sustained by another person. In the case of weather-related conditions, a town or county will have guidelines that detail a property owner’s responsibility. Most cities and towns have laws that establish how quickly snow and ice should be removed from a premises after a storm. If a property owner neglects to clear a public surface and you are injured because of that inaction, you may be entitled to recover damages. Accordingly, other hazards are supposed to be handled in a timely fashion as well. If you have been injured on municipal property, you can recover damages for your injuries as well. The major difference is the statute of limitations. In New Jersey, the statute of limitations on a slip and fall accident that occurred on private or commercial properties is two years. If the accident happened on the surface of federal, state, or municipal property, you have less time, which varies with the responsible parties. This shorter deadline is referred to as a Notice of Claim, which simply informs the other side that you plan to take legal action against them.
Fulfilling the Burden of Proof
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. The burden of proof is a very difficult factor to deal with when you are trying to recover from your injuries. It is important to begin collecting evidence to prove your case as soon as possible. After a slip and fall accident, be sure to seek immediate medical attention, so a medical professional can document your injuries as soon as they happen. It is also important for you to try and take photos or videos of the conditions that caused your accident before leaving the scene. If you come back later to collect evidence, the property owner may have already remedied the issue, making your case very difficult to prove. If there were any witnesses to your accident, it is also important to obtain their contact information so they can corroborate your story in court, if necessary.
Contact a Hackensack, NJ Injury Attorney
A slip and fall accident can be very serious. One can sustain major head and back injuries that may impact your life and livelihood. If you have been the victim of someone else’s negligence, contact McNerney & McAuliffe today. Our team of attorneys has nearly 50 years of combined experience representing victims of a variety of personal injury cases. Our Hackensack, New Jersey firm will work tirelessly to explore all legal means in order to protect your livelihood from unforeseen future burdens. Don’t allow another’s negligence to impact your life, contact McNerney & McAuliffe today to schedule a consultation.
