The team of personal injury accident attorneys at Drake, Hileman & Davis, has handled hundreds of slip, trip and fall claims and are able to answer any questions you may have about proving a claim, including establishing liability and determining damages. Though you may be in pain and have financial concerns, consulting with a Doylestown slip and fall attorney should be your first step after a fall on someone else’s property.
What Causes Trip and Fall Accidents in Doylestown?
Doylestown and the surrounding Bucks County communities of Newtown, New Hope, Lahaska and Yardley, are great towns to spend a weekend exploring local shops, restaurants and the arts. Unfortunately, the same attributes which make these towns quaint for pedestrian travel can also make them dangerous. Tree line walkways and dimly-lighted passages can create tripping hazards that cause serious and disabling injuries.
Tree roots next to sidewalks require special maintenance and repair. As these roots grow and expand, sidewalk slabs become uneven. Unfortunately, this unevenness is often not readily apparent and can cause pedestrians to trip, stumble and fall, causing devastating injuries to be sustained.
In addition to uneven pavements, the in artful removal of snow and ice can also very problematic in towns that have a high volume of pedestrian travelers. Frequently, snow that is not removed in a timely fashion is trampled down and becomes packed ice. Snow that is piled on the high side of a walkway will melt, drain and re-freeze onto the sidewalk. At times, even downspouts from rooftops will drain directly onto the sidewalk, creating very slippery conditions due to seasonal melting and refreezing.
While outside hazards can be particularly problematic for pedestrians, the failure of businesses to properly clean and maintain the interior of their stores, restaurants and establishments is also the cause of injuries and damages. Human factors engineering tells us that people have certain expectations of steps, curb heights and pedestrian pathways. When there are deviations in these acceptable standards, warnings need to be communicated clearly and effectively, so that pedestrians can avoid dangers that are not readily observable.
How Much is My Slip and Fall Case Worth?
Establishing the total value of a slip and fall claim is not an exact science. A starting point is to calculate the amount of out-of-pocket expenses incurred as a result of the injury. Because health insurance policies frequently contain “subrogation clauses”, the health insurance company is able to seek a claim against any recovery you might obtain against the responsible party. Accordingly, it is important to have a Doylestown slip and fall attorney who is familiar with these clauses and knows whether they are enforceable in a particular case.
In addition to medical expenses, wage losses and the cost of replacement help, the law also permits those injured due to the negligence of another to recover for pain and suffering. This is referred to as a non-economic damage because it is not an exact dollar amount. It is still considered a recoverable loss and harm, but it is something that is hard to value. In times past, some judges and attorneys used a multiplier, in order to determine the value of pain and suffering, but many insurance companies now use statistics and formulas associated with past claims practice.
Having an attorney who is familiar with the claim systems that the insurance industry uses is important to ensuring that you are obtaining a full and fair value in your slip and fall injury claim. Click here to see some of the settlements, verdicts and awards we have obtained for our clients.
Choosing the Best Doylestown Slip and Fall Attorney for Your Case
When you choose a slip and fall attorney at Drake, Hileman & Davis, you are choosing someone who will treat you with the respect you deserve, while at the same time pursuing your best interests in a competent and capable manner. One of the more interesting comments we have received from our clients is that we “are the opposite of what gives attorneys a bad name”. After seeing our client reviews, we hope you will find that our team of personal injury accident attorneys at Drake, Hileman & Davis, are not only accomplished and well qualified, but that they have a degree of compassion that cannot be taught.
If you have been injured due to the negligent maintenance of someone else’s property, causing an injury that could have been prevented, contact the personal injury attorneys at Drake, Hileman & Davis. There is never any cost or fee, unless we recover for you. Call us at 215-348-2088 or use the online questionnaire to the right of this page. We will provide you with a free evaluation of your case and set-up an appointment for you either in our Doylestown office or in the convenience of your own home. We’ve been winning slip and fall cases for your neighbors for more than 30 years. We are ready to help you.