Fremont Street located in downtown Las Vegas is one of the most famous pedestrian streets in the world. Over 24 million people visit this lively area every year to experience the bright lights, casinos, shops, restaurants and free entertainment. The Fremont Street Experience features a spectacular LED display canopy 90 feet overhead that runs along 5 city blocks. With a reputation as the original Vegas strip, the street converted into a pedestrian mall in 1994 while keeping its Old West vibe. Along with eye-catching neon signs and an eclectic mix of visitors, Fremont Street offers continuous music performances, street acts and lively nightlife.
However, with extremely heavy foot traffic and slick or uneven surfaces, slips and falls unfortunately occur frequently on Fremont Street. The cracked sidewalks also pose tripping hazards to pedestrians.
On a typical busy night, hundreds if not thousands of people stroll along some sections of the street. With so many people packed in a tight area plus liquid spills and other hazards, conditions are ripe for pedestrian accidents.
If you suffer an injury from a slip and fall accident on Fremont Street, here is what you need to know and do.
Assess the Accident Scene
If you have slipped and fallen, first take a moment to assess the situation before getting up. Check yourself for any injuries and determine if you need immediate medical attention. If you hit your head or have bleeding wounds, do not try to get up. Ask someone to call 911 for emergency medical assistance. If you do not appear to have serious injuries, carefully get up when you are ready. Then take photos of the area where you fell using your phone’s camera if you are able to.
Photograph any dangerous conditions like liquid spills, cracked or uneven sidewalks, poor lighting or other hazards that may have caused the fall. Get the contact details of any witnesses who saw the accident.
Seek Medical Attention
Even if you do not have noticeable injuries, you should still get examined by a doctor. Symptoms from falls like sprains, fractures, concussions or other issues often are not immediately evident. Some injuries get worse over time without proper treatment. Go to the nearest urgent care clinic or hospital emergency room to get checked out. Describe to the doctor exactly how you fell, what body parts impacted the ground, and what symptoms you are experiencing like pain, swelling, dizziness, etc. Follow all the doctor’s recommendations for treatment, testing and follow-up appointments. Keep records of your diagnosis, medical bills, prescriptions and other accident-related expenses.
Report the Accident
After the accident, try to find a manager or security personnel for the property where you fell and report the incident. Provide details about how, when and where the accident occurred. If the business has security cameras in the area, request that they preserve footage of the fall. Also, file an accident report with the Las Vegas Police Department if the slip and fall happened in a public area. Get a copy of the police report documenting your statement about the accident.
Contact Karns & Karns Personal Injury and Accident Attorneys in Las Vegas, Nevada
Slip and fall claims can be legally complicated, so it is advisable to contact an experienced Las Vegas personal injury attorney from Karns & Karns Personal Injury and Accident Attorneys soon after your accident. Our lawyers can help protect your rights, build a strong case for liability and maximize your compensation. We can immediately send investigators to thoroughly photograph, measure and document the accident scene. We can also obtain and review video footage, witness statements and incident reports. We will consult expert witnesses if necessary to prove negligence. A lawyer from Karns & Karns Personal Injury and Accident Attorneys in Las Vegas, Nevada can also handle communication and negotiation with insurance companies on your behalf.
Proving Liability
To receive compensation for your slip and fall injuries and damages, you must prove that a person or business was negligent and liable. Your slip and fall accident lawyer Las Vegas lawyer will gather evidence to build your case, which may involve showing:
- Lack of adequate lighting in a walkway or path
- Wet flooring without caution signs
- Uneven sidewalks or pavement in disrepair
- Spilled liquids, grease or debris not cleaned up
- Torn carpeting or other floor hazards
We may need to consult premises liability experts to inspect the accident area and provide their professional opinion on safety standards and building code violations. Eyewitness accounts of poor lighting or a dangerous condition prior to your fall will also be critical evidence. Video surveillance footage can prove invaluable if it captured your accident and the hazardous premises.
Damages You Can Claim
If you are successful in your slip and fall claim, there are a number of damages you can seek compensation for, including:
- Medical expenses like hospital bills, ambulance fees, prescription medications, assistive devices
- Rehabilitation and physical therapy costs
- Lost wages due to missing work during recovery
- Reduced earning capacity if you are disabled long-term
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- Permanent injuries or disabilities
We will hire medical experts to assess your injuries, treatment, prognosis and calculate the full present and future costs. An economic expert can analyze your lost income and project long-term impact to your earning potential. Accounting for all tangible and intangible accident-related damages, a personal injury lawyer from Karns & Karns Personal Injury and Accident Attorneys in Las Vegas, Nevada can put a dollar amount on your total losses and fight to recover the maximum compensation you deserve.
Statute of Limitations
Nevada has a two-year statute of limitations for filing a personal injury lawsuit. This means you must take legal action within two years from the date of your slip and fall accident or you may be barred from pursuing your claim. A Las Vegas slip and fall injury attorney from Karns & Karns Personal Injury and Accident Attorneys in Las Vegas, Nevada, can advise you on the statute of limitations and ensure your rights are protected by initiating a case within the required time period. The clock starts ticking from the date of the accident, so it is important to contact a lawyer right away after any significant personal injury.
Slip and fall accidents can happen easily on crowded Fremont Street. If you suffer injuries in a fall, take actions like seeking medical treatment, documenting the scene, reporting the incident and contacting a qualified personal injury attorney from Karns & Karns Personal Injury and Accident Attorneys immediately.
Call our slip and fall attorneys in Las Vegas on 1-800-484-3946 (1-800-4THE-WIN) for advice on your slip and fall accident on Fremont Street today.
