Sports Fans and Injuries: Who Is Liable When Accidents Occur?

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It’s not uncommon to see a stadium fan sustain an injury during a game, but if it’s a serious injury, they may be best served by contacting a lawyer, like a personal injury lawyer from Frederick J. Brynn, P.C. Serious injuries occur across the United States in professional sports arenas, coliseums, and baseball stadiums. They also happen at regional parks and local fields. In many cases, the injuries are minor, but unfortunately, this is not always the case. Sometimes an accident is simply an accident. However, a good personal injury lawyer can review a case and determine if there is liability on the part of someone else, and in that case, the victim is entitled to compensation from the negligent party. Call a lawyer today to schedule a consultation and learn more.

When is an accident considered an act of negligence?

This is a difficult question to answer because the answer depends on the numerous variables involved. A skilled personal injury lawyer can review those variables and come to an informed conclusion as to whether or not the individual has a valid claim. Though there are often signs outside of stadiums that warn of possible personal injury to fans, this does not necessarily protect all parties from injury claims. This is why it’s important to contact a personal injury lawyer to learn if you have the right to receive compensation for your damages. Here are examples of scenarios in which the injured person might have a valid claim against one or more parties:

• A baseball stadium has safety netting behind home plate, but the park owners have not maintained the integrity of the netting. This allowed a baseball to come into contact with a fan at a high speed, which made it impossible for the fan to avoid its trajectory. The resulting contact with the ball caused a significant and catastrophic brain injury.
• During construction or upgrades to a stadium, the area that was being worked on was not securely closed off to the public and as such, allowed fans to access it. As a result of coming into contact with the hazardous conditions, they sustained a severe injury.
• A broken railing at a stadium had been reported to the park’s ownership or management but the responsible party did not address the issue within a reasonable period of time after being notified or becoming aware of that hazard. As a result, a fan fell through the railing and suffered a serious or fatal injury upon impact with a lower surface or the ground.
• A broken escalator or staircase was not safely secured to prevent fans from using it, and as a result, a fan was seriously injured or killed.

How can a personal injury lawyer help me recover my damages?

A sports arena’s management company or owner may deny an injury claim filed by a fan who sustained a serious injury through no fault of their own. A good personal injury attorney will represent victims injured due to the negligence of others and recover maximum compensation on their behalf.

Bicycle Accident FAQs

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Biking in cities has been on the rise over the past few years with the introduction of Citi bikes and the popularity of delivery services like Grubhub or Postmates. While biking is a convenient way to get around the city, it can also be quite dangerous. Motorists rarely respect bikers’ rights to share the road, leading to life-altering accidents. If you recently suffered injuries in a biking accident, you likely have many questions about next steps, potential damages and lawsuit claims. Here are some answers to a few frequently asked questions.

What Should You Do After You Are Injured in a Bike Accident?

As soon as you are injured in a bicycle accident, you should immediately seek medical attention, even if you aren’t completely sure of the severity of your injuries. Then, if you are physically able, you should file a police report and take photos at the scene of the accident. This information will be imperative if you choose to file a personal injury lawsuit. Make sure to write down everything you recall about the accident and speak to the driver and any witnesses to record additional relevant information. The police will keep a copy of this report on file and you can access it if needed.

Can I Sue the Driver Who Caused My Accident?

If your accident was caused by the negligence of the driver, then you can file a personal injury claim. There are many different kinds of damages that a victim may be able to claim, as an attorney, like a personal injury lawyer from a firm like the Law Firm of Frederick J. Brynn, can explain. Once you have your written report and any pertinent information from the scene of the accident, reach out to a personal injury attorney to discuss the next steps in filing this claim.

How Can I Prove Liability?

In order to receive damages from your personal injury claim, you and your attorney must prove that the driver was legally liable for your injuries. The best way to prove this is with a strong combination of a written report, witness testimonies and photos from the scene of the accident. If you don’t have these on hand, contact the police and have them provide a report of the accident.

Can I Receive Damages for My Accident? 

If you win your personal injury case, you can receive damages for your accident. Depending on your specific accident, these could cover:

• Bicycle repairs
• Medical bills 
• Lost wages or income
• Emotional suffering 

How Long Will the Case Take to Settle? 

There is no set timeline for your personal injury case because it depends on medical care, attornies, insurance providers, and at-fault parties. The full process can take anywhere from a few months to a few years.

How Do You Know if You Have a Personal Injury Case?

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If you’ve been injured in an accident, you might be wondering if you have a personal injury claim. Not all accidents rise to the legal requirements of a personal injury claim. It depends on the situation and the laws in your state. Here are some things to keep in mind.

What Is Required For a Personal Injury Claim? 

To receive monetary compensation in a personal injury case, you’ll need show three different things:

1. You have to show that the responsible party was careless or negligent. For example, in a driving accident, this could be driving under the influence or running a stop sign and causing an accident.
2. You have to show that the negligence led to harm. Essentially, this means that the accident was caused by the negligence of the other person. In the above example, the driver ran the stop sign and ran into your car, which caused the accident.
3. You have to show that your injuries are compensable, which is a fancy way of saying that you lost money because of the accident. If your injuries were mild, you wouldn’t have a strong claim.

Proving Fault Can Be Difficult 

Most personal injury cases revolve around who was at fault for the accident. If you file a claim, you are responsible to prove that the other party was at fault. It gets even more complicated in states that use comparative or contributory negligence laws. In comparative negligence, you may be partially to blame for the accident or damages. For example, if you weren’t wearing your seatbelt, the defendant could argue that they shouldn’t have to pay for all your injuries. In states with contributory negligence laws, if you play any part in the cause of the accident, you can’t sue for damages. A personal injury lawyer who understands the type of case you’re dealing with can help you sort through the laws in your state to take the right steps.

Don’t Discount Your Case Based on Laymen’s Knowledge 

Your neighbor or best friend who isn’t a lawyer should not be advising you about your chances of getting a settlement. You should always go to a lawyer to get a full assessment of your personal injury claim. The law is complex. There are a lot of exceptions that could apply to your case. To find out if you have a case, contact a personal injury lawyer, like the office of The Law Firm of Frederick J. Brynn, P.C.

Why You Should Hire a Personal Injury Attorney

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While recovering from your injuries, have you considered filing a claim against the liable insurer? Do you plan on reaching out to an attorney? Too many people mistakenly think that a personal injury claim is easy and can be handled without the additional expense of an attorney, but that is not exactly accurate. Lawyers help ensure that you get a fair judgment or settlement. However, there are several other reasons to hire a lawyer.

1. No Money UpFront

Most personal injury lawyers work on contingency, which means that you do not pay them anything upfront. A contingency agreement also means that the only way you have to pay for attorney fees is if you win your claim. Unfortunately, while the payment arrangement is lovely, keep in mind that attorney fees range from 30 to 40%, depending on the difficulty of the claim.

2. Protection Against Unfair Allegations

There is a fairly standard rule when it comes to lawsuits: say nothing. Insurance companies will send adjusters to your home, and sometimes your hospital room to talk to you about your claim. Most of these representatives will seem friendly-enough, but they will most likely ask to record your conversation. Insurance agents do not care about your injuries or recovery. They are only out to protect the interests of their employer. Hiring an attorney can protect you from these shady meetings because you can just explain that the representative can talk to your attorney. Your lawyer knows how to phrase answers to protect your interests and claim.

3. Help Finding and Getting Treatment

Your attorney is more than a legal professional; they are your advocate. Sometimes it is difficult to find or afford the treatments necessary for your recovery. Most personal injury attorneys have relationships with hospitals and medical professionals, allowing them to negotiate on your behalf. Also, if you are struggling financially, your attorney can make arrangements for recovery expenses to come out of your settlement.

4. Greater Odds

If your objective is to receive the most money possible through your claim, then hiring an attorney is the only way to go. A lawyer dramatically increases your odds of a successful filing. Also, an attorney will more than likely be able to reach a settlement agreement, avoiding the lengthy and costly court process.

While you may be tempted to file your personal injury claim without legal representation, consider the benefits and advantages of hiring a professional. To find out how to pursue your injury case, consult with a personal injury lawyer, as soon as possible.