Rosenbaum Personal Injury Lawyers | November 14, 2024 | Personal Injury
Central Park is a world famous oasis in the heart of New York City. Featuring numerous attractions, activities, and rich history, Central Park attracts over 40 million visitors each year. Most visitors to Central Park have a fun and worry-free time. However, accidents can happen and when they do, park guests can be injured.
If you were injured in Central Park, you could have important legal rights – including a potential personal injury claim. However, your ability to collect compensation can be affected by legal rules applying to municipalities and park management. In any type of accident at Central Park, however, there are certain immediate steps you should always take. An experienced personal injury lawyer can also help you navigate the aftermath of an injury in Central Park.
Seek Medical Attention
If you were hurt in any way, you should seek medical help. Even if you don’t think your injuries are serious, seemingly minor injuries can have serious consequences later. Your first focus should be on your own health and avoiding any medical complications.
Getting prompt medical attention will also help if you need to pursue any type of legal claim for your injuries later. Personal injury claims are based partly on medical records, bills, and other documents that can prove you were truly injured.
Get Evidence from the Accident Scene
While you are still at the scene of your accident in Central Park, try to collect information before you leave to get medical care.
Some things to do, which can help out later, include:
- Getting names and contact information from witnesses to the accident;
- Taking note of any surveillance cameras that might have captured the incident;
- Taking note of any obvious hazards, warning signs, or a lack of warning signs notifying park visitors of danger;
- Using your smartphone to get pictures and video of the accident scene, along with observations of weather conditions and other factors that could have been involved
Collecting evidence while it is still there can be crucial to proving your personal injury claim after an accident at Central Park.
Contact Security or Law Enforcement
After an accident in Central Park, you’ll need to report it to the Parks Department. They will record the date, time, and location of the incident, along with your information. Park security or law enforcement can review the accident and gather facts about what happened.
An incident report or police report can be a useful piece of evidence because it comes from a neutral source. A report can also include witness statements, diagrams, and photos from the investigation.
When police arrive, be polite, helpful, and give straightforward statements about the accident’s cause. Avoid accepting blame or claiming responsibility for your own injuries after an accident.
Call a Personal Injury Lawyer
An experienced New York City premises liability lawyer can review the details of your case and determine which people or entities would be liable for your damages. If you are pursuing a premises liability claim after an accident in Central Park, there could be certain rules to follow and deadlines to meet.
A New York City personal injury lawyer will be able to take the lead for you and handle the steps needed to get the financial recovery you deserve. A lawyer will also answer any questions you have about the process going forward.
To win damages in a personal injury claim related to Central Park, you will typically need to prove negligence. Once liability is established, you would also need to prove damages in your claim. Damages include economic damages (medical bills, lost wages, etc.) and non-economic damages such as pain and suffering.
Can I File a Claim or Lawsuit Against the New York City Department of Parks and Recreation?
If you need to file a personal injury claim involving the New York City Department of Parks and Recreation, you will need to comply with rules that apply to pursuing claims against government entities. Before you can file a personal injury lawsuit against a New York government agency, you must file a Notice of Claim with the New York City Comptroller’s Office. This notice needs to be filed within 90 days of the accident.
A Notice of Claim tells the city you intend to sue and will include details about the incident, how you were injured, and what your damages are. The city then investigates your claim. If they deny your claim or do not respond in a reasonable time, you can then file a lawsuit. From that point, you generally have one year to file your lawsuit.
An experienced New York City personal injury lawyer will make sure your suit is filed on time.
Can I File a Claim or Lawsuit Against the Central Park Conservancy?
The Central Park Conservancy is a private entity, so you do not need to follow the notice requirements that New York City requires. If you were injured in any way, such as a slip and fall accident at Central Park, you may be able to sue for damages.
Most claims against the Central Park Conservancy would be based on negligence or premises liability. If the park managers fail to keep the property free from hazards to visitors, the Central Park Conservancy can be held responsible for your damages. A New York premises liability lawyer can explain what your next steps are.
A New York City Personal Injury Lawyer Can Help if You’re Injured at Central Park
If you were injured in an accident at New York’s Central Park, there are certain steps you should take right away to protect your health and prove a personal injury claim later. One step is to meet with an experienced New York City personal injury lawyer as soon as possible. Contact a law office today to schedule your free consultation and take the next steps in your claim.
Contact Our Personal Injury Law Firm in New York City
If you’ve been injured in an accident in Manhattan, NY, and need legal help, contact our New York personal injury lawyers at Rosenbaum Personal Injury Lawyers to schedule a free consultation. We also serve in Brooklyn and the Bronx.
Rosenbaum Personal Injury Lawyers – New York City Office
100 Wall St 24th Floor
New York, NY 10005
(212) 514-5007
Rosenbaum Personal Injury Lawyers – Bronx Office
1578 Williamsbridge Rd suite 3b
Bronx, NY 10461
(212) 514-5007
(917) 905-2339
Rosenbaum Personal Injury Lawyers – Brooklyn Office
32 Court St #704
Brooklyn, NY 11201
(212) 514-5007
(917) 920-7332