Injured at Tampa Riverwalk? Here Are 5 Steps You Should Take

August 28, 2024 | Winters & Yonker Personal Injury Lawyers | Tampa Personal Injury Resources

The Tampa Riverwalk stretches 2.6 miles along the Hillsborough River in Tampa, FL. The trail extends along most of downtown Tampa, connecting attractions, hotels, parks, public spaces, and the Waterfront Arts District. The multi-use Riverwalk began in the 1970s, with sections constructed over several decades. Visitors walk along the path but can also ride motorized scooters and bicycles along the Riverwalk.

Slip and fall accidents are common along the Riverwalk. Pedestrian traffic and joggers may trip and fall as they use the Riverwalk. Bicyclists and motor scooter riders may crash as they travel along the Riverwalk. Unfortunately, other people using the Riverwalk and those intentionally seeking to hurt someone can cause injuries, too.

Common injuries people sustain in accidents along the Riverwalk include:

Broken bones
Lacerations and puncture wounds
Back injuries
Traumatic brain injury
Playground injuries
Soft tissue injuries

If you are injured at Tampa Riverwalk, you may be entitled to compensation. The circumstances of your accident determine who may be liable for your damages.

The steps you take after your injury could significantly impact the outcome of a personal injury case. 5 steps that can help you protect your legal rights include:

Document the Accident Scene

Take photographs of the accident scene to document how the scene appeared when you were injured. Making a video is also helpful. If a specific hazard caused your injury, you need to ensure you have photographs of the hazard from different angles. The city or other parties may remove or repair the hazard before you can return to gather evidence.

Ask people who witnessed the accident or stopped to offer assistance for their names and contact information. Their testimony could help prove the elements of an injury claim.

Seek Prompt Medical Treatment for Injuries

Immediate medical treatment supports a personal injury claim. It also gives you the best chance of fully recovering from your injuries. Delays in medical care could be used to allege your injuries were not caused by your accident at Tampa Riverwalk.

Failing to seek timely medical care could also cause your injuries to worsen, resulting in allegations of failure to mitigate damages. If your conduct causes your injuries to worsen, you may not receive compensation for damages that could have been avoided with prompt medical treatment.

Report Your Accident

If your injury happens on public property, you need to notify the City of Tampa. Generally, you have three years from the date of the injury to file a notice of claim with the city. Claims against government entities are extremely complex. Therefore, legal advice is strongly recommended.

If the accident occurred at a private business or property along the Riverwalk, report the injury to the property owner. The police should be contacted immediately if the incident involves an attack or intentional tort. If your accident involves equipment rented from a company, such as a motor scooter or bicycle, report the accident to the company.

Determining who is liable for your injury can be challenging. Numerous parties might be responsible. A Tampa personal injury lawyer can help you identify who needs to be notified of your injury.

Keep Copies of Proof of Damages

Your injuries are documented through your medical records. However, you need to document your financial losses. Keep copies of all bills, receipts, and invoices. If you have out-of-pocket expenses, keep documentation that proves the amount of the expense and the reason you incurred the expense.

In addition to economic damages, you can receive compensation for pain and suffering or non-economic damages. These damages are much more difficult to prove.

Taking photographs of your injuries throughout your recovery helps document the severity of the injuries. A pain and suffering journal with the details of your emotional suffering, physical pain, and struggles during recovery can be very beneficial.

Contact a Tampa Personal Injury Lawyer

An injury claim for an accident at Tampa Riverwalk involves complex legal issues. If the case involves suing the City of Tampa, laws make these cases different from personal injury claims against private individuals or companies.

Seeking legal advice from a Tampa personal injury lawyer experienced in handling government tort claims is strongly recommended. The attorney understands how to protect your rights and pursue a claim for fair compensation for your damages.

If you were injured at Tampa Riverwalk, contact Winters & Yonker Personal Injury Lawyers for a free consultation with an attorney.

Contact a Tampa Personal Injury Lawyer from Winters & Yonker Personal Injury Lawyers for Help Today

For more information, please contact Winters & Yonker Personal Injury Lawyers to schedule a free consultation with a personal injury lawyer in Tampa today. We have five convenient locations in Florida, including Tampa, Clearwater, St. Petersburg, New Port Richey, and Lakeland.

We proudly serve Hillsborough County, Pinellas County, Pasco County, Polk County, and its surrounding areas:

Winters & Yonker Personal Injury Lawyers – Tampa Office
601 W Swann Ave, Tampa, FL 33606
(813) 223-6200

Winters & Yonker Personal Injury Lawyers – Clearwater Office
600 Bypass Dr Suite 224-D, Clearwater, FL 33764
(727) 493-4418

Winters & Yonker Personal Injury Lawyers – St. Petersburg Office
111 2nd Ave NE Suite 350, St. Petersburg, FL 33701
(727) 314-5988

Winters & Yonker Personal Injury Lawyers – New Port Richey Office
5006 Trouble Creek Rd Unit #200, Port Richey, FL 34652
(727) 910-5060

Winters & Yonker Personal Injury Lawyers – Lakeland Office
1543 Lakeland Hills Blvd Suite 18, Lakeland, FL 33805
(863) 251-6196