Slip and fall accidents can happen anywhere and to anyone, hence making them particularly troublesome. It is the responsibility of the property owner to maintain his/her premises for the safety of others. When these duties are abandoned and neglected, it could cause catastrophic accidents. If you have been injured on someone else’s property, you will most likely get pursued by the owner’s insurance company looking for you to hand them all the relevant evidence needed to dismiss your claim. You might have sustained injuries that you may not even be aware of. Insurance companies will only look out for their own needs and are not on your side. Their main aim is doing whatever is possible to lower the value of your claim.
However, if you know what to do after a slip & fall accident, you can take the right steps to make sure you get the best compensation for your injuries. Here are the important things to do after an accident:
Seek immediate medical attention
Suffering a slip and fall accident can leave you feeling confused and shocked, sometimes keeping you from realizing how gravely you have been injured. Seeking medical attention must be your top priority, no matter how minor of an injury you have suffered. If you fail to do so, the insurance company will take it for granted that no injuries exist, thus, diminishing the value of your claim. It is important to collect and document all your medical expenses.
Report the accident
If you have suffered a fall in a store, apartment, shopping mall or anywhere else, make sure you report it to the authority of the premises (i.e. manager, owner, or landlord). Ask the concerned person to make a report of the incident and obtain a copy of it.
Take pictures
Taking pictures of the exact location of the slip & fall accident can help uncover the facts that contributed to the incident. It’s important to make note of the date and time of the accident. Pictures of the scene will act as substantial proof as the manager or property owner can alter the scene after the accident.
Get contact information of any witnesses
If there are any witnesses to your accident, try to get their testimonies and contact information. An eyewitness can help corroborate your version of the incident.
Preserve potential evidence
Place any material of clothing and the shoes you wore on the day of the accident in a safe place. Preserve any and all documents that you received from the property owner, insurance company, medical receipts, etc. This will come in handy at a later time.
Consult a lawyer
One of the most important steps to take after a slip and fall injury is to consult with a competent lawyer. A skilled attorney can fight to protect your rights, stand up against insurance companies and help bring you the best compensation.
If you or a loved one has been the victim of an unfortunate accident due to someone else’s negligence, our lawyers can help you win your case. Just give us a call to get the legal representation you deserve.
