Sidewalks may be present in a multitude of areas it might be difficult to determine how many people might travel these paths on any given day. While sidewalks may be intended to provide pedestrians with a safe place to navigate areas, there may also be some scenarios in which walking on a sidewalk could prove hazardous to one’s health. The presence of safety hazards on sidewalks may only increase the risks of slip-and-fall accidents and such incidents could pose a significant danger to individuals in New Mexico.
Studies indicate that there are numerous types of safety hazards that might appear on sidewalks and some common examples of potentially dangerous issues may include:
- Cracks and holes: Poorly maintained sidewalks may be more prone to having major cracks or even potholes and the presence of similar issues could only increase the chances of fall-related incidents.
- Elevation changes: Sudden changes in the elevation of sidewalk surfaces could also pose a threat to safety, and such concerns may be difficult to detect in time to avoid a fall.
- Liquid buildup: Uneven sidewalk surfaces may also be more prone to allowing water or mud to collect on surfaces and this may cause sidewalks to become slippery.
Without the necessary maintenance, debris such as vegetation may grow and cover or obstruct sidewalk surfaces and failure to keep surfaces free of debris may prove detrimental.
Slip-and-fall accidents that occur on sidewalks can carry serious health ramifications and the risks of such an incident may be ever present when property owners fail to maintain sidewalk surfaces. The outcome of such an incident could leave a person with serious injuries and facing a lengthy recovery period and those who face such a challenge may have questions about their available legal avenues. Fortunately, there are attorneys in New Mexico who can evaluate the incident, provide a person with advice on the best course of action to take, and assist in navigating every step of the process.