If you were hurt on uneven pavement that was inadequately maintained, you may be able to hold the property owner responsible for your injuries. The slip and fall lawyers at Parnall Law Firm have assisted many accident victims near Albuquerque in seeking the damages that they need to recover. We can assess whether you have a claim and advise you on what course of action to follow if you do. Contact us today for a free consultation!
Some people attribute their injuries to inattentiveness on their part. In many of these cases, however, the accident occurred because the pavement was uneven, which can cause an unsuspecting pedestrian, scooter rider, or visitor to trip and fall. Reasons why this situation arises may include:
Uneven pavement accidents can cause concussions or other severe brain damage or fractures.
We’ll fight for the compensation you deserve
Uneven pavements are usually the result of a lack of care on the part of the property owner. You can seek damages from the party that controlled the premises if you can establish that its negligence caused your injuries.
In New Mexico, people and entities have a duty to keep their property in reasonably safe conditions for use by others. The standard of care that applies to any given situation depends largely on the victim’s status under premises liability law. A property owner will owe a higher duty of care to someone invited onto the property, such as a social guest or a business customer. By contrast, trespassers are not due any precautions, unless they are children attracted to certain features in the area.
A property owner’s duty of care can include the obligation to inspect the premises for possible dangers, promptly fix any issues that appear, and take other appropriate measures to avoid foreseeable injuries to others. An individual or business may fail to exercise the adequate degree of care if it is aware or should have been aware of uneven pavement but does not repair or warn of the hazard.
To succeed in your claim, you would have to link the property owner’s failure to use reasonable care to your injuries. If you establish this connection, you may be able to recover damages for objective and subjective types of harm, ranging from medical expenses and lost wages to pain and suffering.
If you have a relative who died in a slip and fall incident, you can seek compensation through a wrongful death lawsuit. You can recover for his or her medical expenses, funeral costs, and other damages based on your relationship to the victim. In New Mexico, you must file an injury or wrongful death action within three years from when the accident took place (or two years if a state entity is responsible, with a tort claim notice sent within 90 days of the incident).
Bertrand Russell Parnall is an Albuquerque native, salutatorian of the Class of 1988 at Albuquerque High School, and co-captain of the district football champion Bulldogs. He earned his undergraduate degree from Rice University with a double major in history and French, and his law degree from the University of New Mexico School of Law after coming home to Albuquerque.
Years of Experience: 27+ years
Justia Profile: Bert Parnall
Public and private property owners may dispute who is responsible for maintaining the pavement. A business, for example, may argue that the property manager or municipality is responsible for the uneven sidewalk in front of it. You may have to seek damages from more than one party, in which case you should pursue all possible defendants to seek full recovery for your injuries.
The premises liability attorneys at Parnall Law Firm offer tenacious representation to injured individuals in Albuquerque and beyond. Bert Parnall and our team of litigators are committed to advocating for the rights of accident victims. We can help you try to hold a property owner accountable if you were hurt by tripping on uneven pavement. We can discuss how and when the accident occurred, determine who may be responsible for your injuries, and aggressively pursue the appropriate damages. For a free initial consultation, call our office today at 505-985-5355, or you can contact us online.
If you have been involved in a serious accident and sustained significant injuries, you need to consult with an Albuquerque personal injury lawyer to understand your legal options. After a serious injury accident, you will need to file a claim and deal with the insurance adjusters. The insurance company will try to minimize the amount it pays out in claims to protect its profit margin. It may deny your claim or offer a settlement that is a fraction of the fair value of the claim. A lawyer will help you understand your legal rights and whether you have a valid personal injury lawsuit.
A lawyer can collect evidence to strengthen your claim and negotiate on your behalf with the insurance company representing the at-fault party. A lawyer can push back if an insurer tries to deny your claim or take advantage of you. If the case goes to trial, an experienced personal injury attorney will know how to present your case to jurors to increase your chances of a favorable jury verdict.
Attorney Bert Parnall is a fighter. He and his legal team will fight for your legal rights if you have been injured in an accident due to the negligence of someone else in Albuquerque or anywhere in Central New Mexico.
An experienced personal injury lawyer brings a knowledgeable perspective to the process of negotiating with insurers and settling an injury claim. Based on years of experience handling similar claims, an attorney will have a sense of the fair value of your injury claim. Most accident victims are uncertain what their claim is worth. An attorney will analyze the facts of your case and provide guidance about whether an insurer’s settlement offer is reasonable based on the specifics of your case. If you have never dealt with a claim before, it may be difficult for you to know whether an offer is fair on your own.
The insurance company will have lawyers advising its staff during the settlement process. Having an attorney on your side and looking out for your interests evens the playing field. Insurance companies want to avoid going to court. The insurance company may agree to a higher settlement in order to avoid litigation if you have a lawyer advocating for you. If you do not have legal representation, you will be at a disadvantage in dealing with the insurance company.
You want a lawyer that has years of experience handling cases similar to your case and has a record of verdicts and settlements. Ask the lawyer what percentage of his or her practice involves the practice area that applies to your case. You want an established lawyer who knows the local court system and has the resources and determination to pursue your case to completion.
You want a lawyer with whom you feel comfortable communicating and sharing information. You want a lawyer who will listen to your questions and concerns and offer informative answers. You want a lawyer who will be accessible when you have questions and keep you informed of the status of your case.
You want a lawyer that has good references.
Steer clear of any attorney who promises or guarantees you a settlement or a certain outcome. No lawyer can ethically guarantee a certain result in a case.
To find an attorney, you may ask your friends, relatives or co-workers to recommend a lawyer who they have used. You can also schedule a free, no-obligation consultation with an attorney at Parnall Law to get an understanding of your legal options. The consultation will help you clarify your legal options at no charge whether you decide to work with our law firm.
The most common reason to hire a personal injury lawyer is to provide representation after a car crash caused by someone else that resulted in serious injuries. The law allows people who are harmed by others’ negligence to seek compensation. That is an adversarial process. It is helpful to have an experienced injury attorney standing up for you when dealing with an insurance company representing the at-fault party. The insurance company may dismiss or delay your claim if you do not have a personal injury lawyer representing you.
Other reasons to hire a personal injury lawyer include pursuing compensation for injuries caused by unsafe conditions at someone else’s property or protecting a loved one in a nursing home if you suspect your loved one is being subjected to neglect or abuse.
In many instances, people who need legal guidance may have questions about a troubling situation and need a personal injury attorney to investigate the matter and find answers.
Bert Parnall and the team at Parnall Law are available to answer your questions and discuss your legal needs during a free and confidential consultation. The attorneys at Parnall Law have helped thousands of accident victims obtain proper compensation and move forward with their lives.
This page has been written, edited, and reviewed by a team of legal writers following our comprehensive editorial guidelines. This page was approved by Founding Partner, Bertrand Russell Parnall who has more than 20 years of legal experience as a personal injury attorney.
Tell us about your accident and your injuries. An injury lawyer from our team will call and provide you with a Free Evaluation of your Case. If we can help, and you are unable to travel, we will come to your home, office or hospital. It’s easy – let’s get started.
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Parnall Law Firm, LLC
Hurt? Call Bert ®
2155 Louisiana Blvd NE #8000
Albuquerque, NM 87110
Parnall Law Firm, LLC
Hurt? Call Bert ®
1424 Luisa St STE 1
Santa Fe, NM 87505
Parnall Law Firm, LLC
Hurt? Call Bert ®
2003 Southern Blvd SE #126
Rio Rancho, NM 87124