Many individuals believe that slip and fall accidents primarily affect senior citizens. However, the reality is that they can occur anywhere and to anyone. The National Floor Safety Institute reports that slip-and-fall incidents account for over 1 million emergency room visits annually. Slip-and-fall and trip-and-fall incidents can result in severe injuries, including traumatic brain injuries, fractures, and even death.
What To Do After a Slip and Fall?
- Take pictures/video to document the scene and your slip and fall injuries\
- Use your cell phone camera to take pictures of the accident scene and your injuries so you can use them as evidence. The property owners or managers will clean up, remove, or repair the environmental conditions that caused your accident, so document them immediately. Swelling and bruising can subside over time, so photographing your injuries is helpful. Photos can show your injuries’ pain and suffering.
- Collect contact information from witnesses
Obtain the contact information of anyone who witnessed your slip and fall accident or the conditions that contributed to or caused the accident. The testimony of eyewitnesses can be invaluable in establishing the property owner’s or other responsible party’s negligence in your case.
- Report your injury immediately and fill out an accident report
Reporting your slip and fall injury to the property owner or manager, if the accident occurred in a store or business, not only serves to document the accident but also sends an important signal that you are taking the situation seriously. To obtain the maximum compensation to which you are entitled, it is imperative that you speak with a manager and file an incident report immediately.
- Seek immediate medical attention
Even if your injuries don’t seem severe, seek medical attention right away. Evaluating injuries is necessary for your health and shows you’re taking the incident seriously. Keep track of all slip and fall-related medical appointments and bills.
What You Should Not Do After a Slip And Fall Accident?
- Don’t downplay your injuries
Most people find falling in public to be embarrassing; therefore, you may feel compelled to minimize the severity of the situation. Do not perform this action! If you act as if you are not injured and then file a claim for damages, the defense will use your words against you and claim you are lying about your injuries.
- Don’t admit fault or say too much at the scene
Although it is essential to report your accident and injuries to the property owner or manager, you should avoid admitting fault or providing excessive information at the scene. Your objective should be to document the incident and wait until you have the counsel of an experienced slip-and-fall attorney before speaking with the party at fault.
- Don’t accept a settlement without consulting with an attorney
After a slip-and-fall accident, the at-fault party’s attorney or insurance company may try to rush you into a settlement. They’re usually trying to quickly close your case and will offer a significantly lower amount. Never accept a settlement without consulting a lawyer. Never accept a settlement before knowing your full injuries and medical costs.
Conclusion
We at 2H Law Firm understand that your accident has already caused you enough hardship. We will utilize our extensive resources and experience to pursue the maximum compensation you deserve. To schedule a free consultation, please call us at (619) 374-9320.
