New York City – the city that never sleeps. It’s known for its iconic landmarks, vibrant mix of culture, and incredible nightlife. With a population of over a million people, its sidewalks are well-used, yet they’re well-worn due to the amount of foot traffic they face daily.
Despite all that the city has to offer, cracks, uneven sidewalks, and potholes make the city’s sidewalks dangerous for its denizens. If you or someone you know happens to have an accident there, it’s prudent to consult a NYC broken sidewalk accident lawyer. They will help guide you through the process of filing for injuries.
5 Ways Damaged Sidewalks Can Hurt People
Broken or damaged sidewalks can cause a lot of damage, both to property and people. Common injuries range from cuts and bruises to serious spinal damage, which can disrupt people’s lives. Here are a few injuries people commonly face:
1. Cuts and Sprains
Damaged sidewalks can cause pedestrians to trip, resulting in cuts or bruises. Uneven sidewalks can also cause people to sprain their ankles, making them temporarily immobile. While these injuries are not serious, they can still be painful and require proper medical attention. Senior citizens are particularly vulnerable to such injuries, as their bodies are more fragile due to age.
2. Back Injuries
When pedestrians fail to notice damaged sidewalks, they could slip and fall on their backs, hurting their backs in the process. Injuries can be mild, with a sprained back, or something more serious, like a spinal cord injury.
With more severe injuries, people may become immobile and require intense rehabilitation to recover. This can result in high medical costs and a lot of time spent in recovery.
3. Fractures
Fractures are another common injury in sidewalk accidents. Falling on hard sidewalks without warning can lead to a hard impact that breaks bones. People can break wrists, ankles, or other bones in their limbs, requiring a cast for a couple of weeks and rehabilitation after that. This can cause people to miss work and lose money in the process.
4. Head Injuries
When people fall, they’re at high risk for head injuries, especially if it’s on hard surfaces like pavements. In rare circumstances, a hard blow to the head can result in instant death. Mostly though, people end up with head injuries or concussions, which can cause damage to the brain that can last a lifetime. Such injuries may require surgery and can impact brain function, affecting speech, memory, and other mental capacities.
5. Knee Injuries
People often use their knees to brace themselves when they fall and can injure themselves badly as a result. These injuries may need surgery and can make it difficult for people to walk again. The pain from knee injuries can also be hard to manage, not to mention the high medical costs involved.
Summary
Sidewalk accidents are not uncommon in New York City, especially given how much they’re used. Accidents often result in injuries like broken bones, back injuries, or cuts and sprains, to name a few, and can cost people a lot of money to recover from.
If you’ve been the victim of such an accident, you should contact a lawyer to help you understand your rights, as you’re eligible for compensation.
