Maison Law represents runners who are injured while exercising at parks. Joggers may suffer harm due to a car accident, a dog bite, or a slip-and-fall injury while at a California park. We seek full compensation for their recoveries so they can return to the runs they love again. Please contact us to schedule a free, no-obligation consultation with a real California lawyer and find out what your injury is worth.
Do I Need a Lawyer After Someone Injures Me While I’m Running?
If you suffer only some minor bruising and scratches after being knocked down by a car or being bitten by a dog, you might not need a lawyer’s help with your case.
But if your injuries turn out to be serious, such as a broken ankle or a deep bite wound, you should go over your best options with a skilled California Runner Accident Lawyer. When hospital bills start to rise, insurance adjusters for at-fault parties look for ways to wiggle out of taking responsibility for what happened. They can try to blame you for an accident or attempt to question the seriousness of your injuries.
Your lawyer fights back against these unfair tactics by fully investigating your accident and collecting strong evidence. Your lawyer then files a claim and demands the most injury compensation available for you and your family.
California Park Hazards for Runners
Those out for a jog can take advantage of the beauty of a city park or a state park. There’s a definite safety advantage in using trails and sidewalks far away from the rush of vehicle traffic. But pedestrians are still at risk, even when running in parks and on greenways.
Unfortunately, joggers in parks can still be exposed to the threat of careless drivers in certain spots. And there are other common personal injury accidents they must watch out for.
These are just a few of the dangers that can leave pedestrians badly injured and in need of support:
- Pedestrian Vs Car Accidents
- Dog Bites
- Slip-And-Fall Hazards
- Negligent Security Threats
Runners Hit by Cars in Parks
Even though most parks don’t have the traffic that a boulevard or highway will have, joggers must still worry about reckless drivers. They may encounter a distracted driver in a parking lot and suffer an impact that causes multiple bone fractures. A running path may cross a vehicle entrance or a street, exposing pedestrians to traffic.
Your Maison Law personal injury lawyer would hold the driver’s auto insurance provider fully liable for the injuries you suffered and the time it took you to heal. Car insurance companies will try to avoid taking the blame and offer you less than you need to recover financially. Your lawyer rejects any “lowball offer” they send you and demands more for your family.
You can find more information on Maison Law’s page about car accidents involving California runners.
Dog Bites on Runners in Parks
Dogs may be on the loose in a park and they may see a runner as a fun target to chase. Someone walking a dog may leave the pet too much leash to get near someone out for a speed walk. Runners can suffer deep bite wounds and even bone fractures.
California holds the dog owner liable in most cases after a bite incident at a park. As long as the runner didn’t provoke the dog, the dog owner’s homeowners insurance provider could be asked for help in paying medical bills and other damages.
Our lawyers also help joggers who have been knocked down by dogs and injured to seek compensation from the owner.
For more information check out Maison Law’s page on California dog bite accidents for runners.
Slip-And-Fall Hazards for Runners
Runners would like to have flat, smooth surfaces to complete their routes on. But sometimes potholes are allowed to remain on pavement and crumbling sidewalks go unrepaired. The roots of a tree growing up into a runner’s path could also cause a trip-and-fall.
When city departments are negligent in removing these threats, they should be held responsible for the harm done to walkers and joggers. Contact Maison Law as soon as possible after taking a fall and getting injured at a park. Government entities enjoy special protections from lawsuits and liability claims. The deadlines for filing injury claims against a city or state agency or department will be shorter than for normal personal injury claims.
Negligent Security Threats for Runners at Parks
City or State agencies can also fail runners by not providing enough protection from crime. This falls under the legal concept of “negligent security.” Runners can become the victims of violent crimes and assault. Park owners and operators are required to protect guests by installing more lighting in dark areas. They must provide security guards to keep everyone safe. If there’s a known elevated risk of crime in the surrounding neighborhood, operators must post warnings for visitors to see.
When parks departments are negligent in this duty to keep runners safe, they are liable for the recovery costs of victims.
Compensation Available to Runners Who Are Hurt in Parks
After your accident, your Maison Law attorney fully investigates your accident and the individuals or government agencies involved. Your lawyer determines who should be contributing to your recovery costs and then files accident claims with every party found liable.
Your lawyer will be demanding support for every damage you and your family have experienced:
- Current medical bills and those expected in the months to come.
- Lifelong support for a permanent physical disability after an accident while jogging.
- Support for physical pain and emotional trauma. This includes the anxiety and depression a difficult recovery could cause you. The PTSD symptoms you suffer from a violent attack from a dog or in a criminal act should also earn support.
- Loss of wages and benefits while you are unable to work.
- Travel costs to get to medical appointments.
- Wrongful death benefits for families. Close relatives such as a spouse or children of the victim may ask for financial help after a deadly running accident. They should receive help in paying funeral costs and medical bills. A wrongful death claim also seeks to protect the family in the future by replacing the steady income the deceased can no longer contribute to the family.
Contact a California Running Accident Lawyer
If you have been seriously injured in a running accident due to a damaged sidewalk, a careless driver, a dog attack, or any other danger, don’t wait to explore your options. California allows victims up to two years to file an injury claim after a negligent accident. However, an accident caused by the actions of a parks department could have a much shorter statute of limitations.
Contact Maison Law for a free consultation after any injury involving a pedestrian accident anywhere in California. Our case reviews come with no obligation. But if you decide we can help you earn more for your running injury, you won’t need to have any money to hire us. We don’t get paid unless we win your case for you. Then our fee comes out of the settlement money you are awarded.
