Arizona hiking trails are popular for good reasons. They’re incredibly beautiful, so many individuals get to enjoy the picturesque scenery and get in those daily steps. Unfortunately, even the most experienced hikers can end up getting hurt and suffering severe injuries. It’s important to be aware of the most common injuries suffered by Arizona hikers. Knowing and understanding these injuries can help even the casual hiker know how to keep themselves safe on a hiking trail.
Getting into a hiking accident could leave you with serious injuries and questions about your legal rights. These types of claims are difficult due to the statutory regulations indicated below. Fortunately, the personal injury attorneys at Jensen Phelan Law Firm can help. Not every instance in which someone is injured on a hiking trail merits an injury claim, our attorneys can review the circumstances of your case and help you determine the best course of action.
Recreational Use Statute in Arizona Limits Claims as follows:
33-1551. Duty of owner, lessee or occupant of premises to recreational users or educational users; liability; definitions
- A public or private owner, easement holder, lessee, tenant, manager or occupant of premises is not liable to a recreational user or educational user except on a showing that the owner, easement holder, lessee, tenant, manager or occupant was guilty of wilful, malicious or grossly negligent conduct that was a direct cause of the injury to the recreational user or educational user. A recreational user or educational user accepts the risks created by the user’s activities and shall exercise reasonable care in those activities.
- A landowner, easement holder, lessee, tenant manager or occupant of private or public land is not liable for damages in any civil action for unknown conditions on the land. Installing a sign or other form of warning of a dangerous condition, use, structure or activity, or any modification made for the purpose of improving the safety of others, or failing to maintain or keep in place any sign, other form of warning or any modification made to improve safety does not create liability on the part of an owner, easement holder, lessee, tenant manager or occupant of land if there is no other basis for that liability.
- This section is applicable to the duties and liability of any governmental entity, nongovernmental organization or person that provides monies, that reasonably performs maintenance, that reasonably makes or supports improvements or that takes similar reasonable action regarding land made available to the public for recreational or educational purposes.
- This section does not create a duty of care or basis of liability for injury to persons or property. This section does not relieve any person using the land of another for recreational or educational purposes from any obligation that the person may have in the absence of this section to exercise care in the person’s use of that land and in the activities on the land or from legal consequences for failing to employ such care
There is more to this law. Talking with an experienced injury attorney is a must in this type of case, even if the injuries are significant.
The Most Common Injuries Suffered by Arizona Hikers
Whether you’re a casual hiker or someone who goes hiking regularly, it’s important to understand the potential dangers. Some common hiker injuries that you can help prevent by taking some proactive steps include:
- Strains and Sprains: Strains impact the muscles, while sprains involve injured ligaments and tendons. For hikers, these injuries usually occur in the ankle and knees.
- Abdominal Pain: While a stomachache may not seem like a big deal, it can be a symptom of something more serious such as a GI infection to kidney stones.
- Allergic Reaction: Most reported allergic reactions while hiking is due to preexisting allergies or run-ins with poisonous plants. Doing research on the area and any potential risk for allergic reactions can help you be prepared to address the issue before it becomes a problem.
- Nausea, Vomiting, and Diarrhea: Whether it’s the food you’ve ingested or lack of water or nutrition, or even failing to wash your hands properly, these can all quickly sour any hiking experience.
- Frostnip and Frostbite: Most people are familiar with the dangers of frostnip and frostbite. However, it bears repeating as these injuries can have severe life-long consequences. Look out for waxy, white skin and tingling feels. The skin may feel hard and numb and dented with pressure.
- Flesh Wounds: Blisters, cuts, and scrapes are another one of those injuries that may not ring off warning bells but, if left unattended, especially during a long hiking trip, can develop infections that prove to be incredibly serious and dangerous.
- Burns: Burns that are left untreated can become infected and become severely painful and uncomfortable.
- Broken and Dislocated Bones: Fractures in the leg, ankle, and wrist are incredibly common among hikers. Dislocations in the shoulder are equally common.
Doing thorough research of the hiking trail, as well as understanding your own limitations and packing accordingly, can go a long way to helping you prevent these common injuries.
Contact a Personal Injury Specialist at Jensen Phelan Law Firm
With over 65 years of combined experience, the attorneys at Jensen Phelan Law Firm have helped thousands of clients obtain fair compensation from the reckless and careless party who may have caused them harm. After a hiking injury, you may be unsure whether or not you have a personal injury case.
Fortunately, Jensen Phelan Law Firm offers a free assessment of your case and an explanation of your rights. Retain the best specialist injury lawyer you can with top-quality legal representation resulting in large awards by contacting Jensen Phelan Law Firm as soon as possible. Contact us through our contact form or call (928) 778-2660 today.
