College students rightfully expect that their campuses will be safe places for them to learn, have fun, and grow. And colleges owe their students a secure environment in which they can do so. But when colleges are negligent and expose students to unreasonable dangers, someone can get hurt. In some of the worst cases, the injuries can be severe enough to last the rest of the student’s life. If you or a loved one were hurt in a college campus accident, it’s important for you to know your rights. You can count on our Georgia personal injury attorneys to fight to hold your college accountable for acts of negligence.

Colleges and universities are required to keep their campuses reasonably safe for students. That doesn’t mean that a college can absolutely guarantee that no harm will befall a student during their time there. With thousands of students going to class, living on campus, studying, and socializing, someone is bound to get hurt. Negligence applies when the university fails to act reasonably with respect to its duty to keep you safe.

Some common examples of college student injuries that may give rise to negligence include the following:

Automobile, bicycle, and pedestrian accidents. College campuses are intersected with roads, sidewalks, crosswalks, bike paths, and other avenues of transportation. Although drivers are required to conduct themselves in accordance with traffic laws, colleges owe a duty as well. They are obligated to ensure that the roads, sidewalks, traffic signs, etc. are well-maintained and safe.

Slips and falls. Colleges are required to keep stairs, hallways, sidewalks, and other walking surfaces free of unreasonable hazards. That means free of not only environmental dangers like water, snow, ice, and other slick substances. It also means keeping these areas well-lit, properly maintained, and free of obstructions. A slip and fall can cause serious injuries like broken bones, spinal cord damage, and brain injury.

Criminal activity. Rapes, assaults, robberies, and other crimes are all too common on college campuses. It’s not possible to absolutely prevent these unfortunate incidents. But a college can adopt safety measures such as proper lighting and secure dormitories. When crimes occur, school administrators often try to turn a blind eye to them at the expense of student safety. That’s where you need an attorney.

Unsafe facilities. The number of dormitories, libraries, classrooms, and other buildings increases the likelihood you will come across some type of hazard. Elevators, stairwells, bathrooms, kitchens, and numerous other facilities could pose a danger. College campuses employ maintenance crews who are responsible for proper upkeep. But when they don’t do their jobs, someone can get hurt.

Holding your college or university liable in a college campus accident requires establishing several elements:

  • The college or university (defendant) owed you a duty of reasonable care
  • The defendant violated this duty of care through some act of negligence
  • The defendant’s negligent acts caused injury to you, the victim
  • You suffered damages as a result

You should be aware that Georgia follows a comparative negligence model. This means that if you contribute in some way to your own injuries, you could lessen your monetary recovery. If you are partially liable, a percentage of fault will be assigned to you. The amount of damages you may otherwise deserve would be reduced by that percentage. Having an experienced Georgia injury attorney is crucial to making sure that percentage stays as low as possible.

Call Hammers Law Firm if You Were Injured in a College Campus Accident

After you receive the medical care you need following a college campus accident, contact us. We represent injury victims throughout Georgia, and can fight to hold your college liable for your injuries. You deserve skilled and aggressive legal representation, and you can expect Hammers Law Firm to deliver. Call us today to discuss your case with our team.