At one time or another, you have likely been walking somewhere and stumbled. Maybe you have tripped while walking up stairs, or bumped into a wall. Some people may have even tripped over their own two feet. From time to time, most people have experienced some sort of clumsiness because of their own inattentiveness. In most cases, this clumsiness results in nothing more than a bruised ego or a few laughs, as people pick themselves back up and try a task again.
But, a slip-and-fall accident may not always be this innocent. Sometimes, these accidents can lead to serious injuries or death. In these cases, a person’s clumsiness may have been one factor in causing the accident. However, a property owner’s negligence is often also to blame, and a premises liability suit may be necessary. In these cases, can your clumsiness effect the outcome of the suit?
In some cases, your own clumsiness can affect the outcome of a premises liability suit. Courts may look at your conduct to determine if you were also negligent in causing the injuries. For example, if you were looking at a cell phone and failed to notice some obstacle on another person’s property, then you may be partly to blame for the injuries you suffered. Under comparative negligence laws, the percentage that you were responsible for the accident may be reduced from the ultimate compensation you can receive in the case.
Premises liability cases often require evidence of your carefulness as well as the property owner’s negligence. Texas residents should be aware of the types of evidence that are necessary to win these cases and get the compensation they need. An attorney is often helpful in these situations.
