What Happens If I Get Hurt at the Riverwalk Holiday Spectacular In Tampa
January 3, 2025 | Winters & Yonker Personal Injury Lawyers | Personal Injury
The Tampa Riverwalk is among the most popular destinations for visitors and residents. The Riverwalk extends about 2.6 miles along the Hillsborough River through most of downtown Tampa. The multi-use trail connects the Waterfront Arts District, public spaces, hotels, parks, and attractions.
Each December, the Tampa Riverwalk is transformed into a Holiday Spectacular. The Riverwalk is decorated with thousands of beautiful holiday lights. The lighted and decorated floating barges on the Hillsborough River add to the stunning light display. The Riverwalk Holiday Spectacular in Tampa was included in USA Today’s 10 Best Readers’ Choice for best public holiday light displays in 2024.
Thousands of families and individuals enjoy the sounds and signs of the holiday season at the Tampa Riverwalk Holiday Spectacular.
How Injuries Occur at the Tampa Riverwalk Holiday Spectacular
Many people enjoy the Holiday Spectacular at night because they want to see the floating barges, trees, and other decorations lit up with sparkling lights. However, visiting at night can increase the risk of a slip and fall accident, especially after the sun fully sets. Additionally, exposed wiring and display tie-downs create an additional tripping hazard not usually present during other times of the year.
Hotels, restaurants, and establishments also decorate for the holidays. Therefore, you may encounter slip, trip, and fall hazards when visiting various vendors along the Riverwalk. Inadequate lighting, cluttered walkways, lack of security, assaults, and other hazards could lead to being injured at the Tampa Riverwalk Holiday Spectacular.
Most people attend the Holiday Spectacular without any problem. However, knowing what to do, should you or your family member have an accident while visiting the Tampa Riverwalk is important.
Document the Accident
Gather evidence at the accident scene by taking photographs and making a video of the scene. Make sure to capture the hazard that caused your injury, such as an exposed write that caused you to trip. Ask eyewitnesses to provide their contact information. Witness testimony can be very compelling evidence.
Seek Immediate Medical Treatment for Injuries
Regardless of whether you believe your injuries are severe, it is best to receive prompt medical treatment for your injuries. Some injuries may not present symptoms immediately after an accident, so you could be more severely injured than you believe.
Delays in medical care could hurt your personal injury claim. You must prove that the accident led to your injuries. Medical records help substantiate your claim.
Report the Accident and Injury
Report the accident and your injuries to the property owner or other responsible party as soon as possible. Depending on the circumstances of your accident, the property owner and other parties could be responsible for your damages.
For example, if your accident occurred in a restaurant or shop, the owner could be liable for your damages. If you fell in the park or other public property, the City of Tampa or another government entity could be liable for your injuries.
Document Financial Losses and Damages
A slip and fall or other accident at the Tampa Riverwalk Holiday Spectacular could result in severe injuries. You may experience financial losses in addition to your physical and emotional suffering.
Florida personal injury laws allow injured parties to seek compensation for their economic and non-economic damages, including:
- Medical bills and expenses
- Scarring and disfigurement
- Rehabilitation and physical therapy
- Loss of enjoyment of life and quality of life
- Diminished earning capacity
- Pain and suffering damages
- Lost wages and benefits
- Emotional distress and mental anguish
- Impairments and disabilities
- Out-of-pocket expenses
The amount you receive for a Riverwalk accident claim depends on your injuries and accident circumstances. Generally, the value of damages increases when the victim sustains catastrophic injuries and permanent disabilities. However, victims deserve to be compensated fairly for all damages, regardless of the severity of their injuries.
Contact a Tampa Personal Injury Lawyer for Help
Claims against government entities and companies can be challenging. You have the burden of proving the other party’s negligence and wrongdoing caused your injuries. A personal injury lawyer handles the investigation to identify the responsible parties and gather evidence proving your claim. An attorney evaluates your damages to maximize how much your claim is worth.
The time to file a claim for a Tampa Riverwalk accident injury is limited by the Florida statute of limitations. Therefore, prompt legal advice is best.
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
