At some point in our lives, we’ll probably all slip, fall, and injure ourselves while going about our daily life. The latest figures from the CDC show that unintentional injuries lead to 97.9 million emergency department visits each year. Although sometimes these accidents are no one’s fault, at other times they are caused by negligence.
If you’ve been injured in a slip and fall accident, you may be able to pursue a claim for compensation. But what steps should you take after your accident to give your case the best chance of success?
Get Medical Help
Some slip and fall injuries are obvious – cuts, bruises, and severe pain. But sometimes, the pain from your injury may not start right away. That’s why however you feel after a slip and fall accident, you should always seek prompt medical attention.
The doctor will treat you and recommend further medical intervention as needed. Crucially, they will also document it. This paper trail may become important later when seeking damages.
Report the Accident
Wherever your fall happens, you must report it to the person responsible for maintaining the property. For example, if you slip and fall at a friend’s house, make sure the owner is promptly notified about the accident. Bear in mind that this could be a landlord.
If it happens on the street, report it to the city. Make sure that you receive a written incident report that clearly outlines what happened.
Document the Scene
You only get one chance to document the scene of the accident. If you’re too badly hurt to do so, ask someone else to help. Take as many photos as you can, including:
- Close-up shots of the scene
- Wide-range shots
- Pictures of trip hazards/uneven surfaces/ice/anything else that contributed to the accident
- Your injuries
Also, write down what happened as soon as possible after the accident. Memories can fade quickly, so make notes while they are still fresh. Also, collect the personal details of all eyewitnesses as their testimony may be helpful later.
Proceed Carefully
Information that you reveal to the property owner, insurance companies, and on social media could be used against you later. Therefore, avoid posting anything on social media about your accident or injuries.
When communicating with potentially liable parties, stick to the facts and don’t give opinions about who was liable. Don’t talk to insurance companies until you’ve spoken to an attorney.
Hire an Attorney
Following a slip and fall accident, the best attorney for you is one with successful experience in handling these cases. Slip and falls cases can be complex. You need a qualified and experienced slip and fall attorney on your side who knows how to pursue fair compensation.
Find a slip and fall lawyer who offers free consultations, so you can see if they’re a good fit. Bring the evidence you have collected with you, and they will evaluate whether the case is likely to be successful. The best attorney will always work on a no-fee unless-we-win basis.
Your Slip and Fall Accident Lawyers
After a slip and fall accident, you need the reassurance of having a trusted lawyer fighting for your rights. The slip and fall lawyers at Michael Kelly want to hear your story. Contact us at 1-800-LAW-GUYS or reach out online today!
