Slip and fall incidents are one of the most common causes of accident-related morbidity and mortality throughout the United States. These accidents can result in a wide range of physical injuries and leave their victims with lasting physical and emotional trauma. In addition to their burden on the body, these accidents result in a significant financial strain on the victim’s pocket, which prompts many victims to wonder whether they can do something to alleviate the financial stress.
While no one walks around the city expecting to get involved in such an unfortunate accident, most people are clueless about what to do after a slip and fall. It is essential to keep your emotions in check and follow a series of steps to protect your legal rights after such an incident. Here is a brief overview of what steps to take to ensure a strong legal defense, should the need arise.
Seeking Medical Attention
Seeking medical attention for your injuries is one of the first things you should do after any slip and fall accident. While you might be tempted to skip calling for help, it can quickly prove dangerous, since most injuries, regardless of their severity, might not be immediately apparent after an accident. Getting treatment for health and legal concerns is essential, as a doctor would thoroughly document every injury.
Documenting the Scene of the Accident
Once you have called for emergency medical assistance, you should try to determine the cause of your accident. Slip and fall accidents can result from multiple causes, including broken flooring, dim lighting, slippery surfaces, tripping hazards, and more. It is important at this stage to take photos of the site of the accident, documenting any evidence you can find.
Besides thorough photographic documentation of the scene, you can also ask any eyewitnesses to provide brief statements regarding their account of the accident. Remember to ask them for their contact information, in case they are needed to testify in a court of law.
Filing an Official Report
Whether your accident occurred on private or public property, filing an official report of the accident with the property administration is crucial to safeguard your legal rights after a slip and fall accident. Most commercial and public properties have reporting procedures to document any accidents that might occur on their premises. An official report signifies that you let the property owner know about your injuries immediately and can bolster your legal strategy down the line.
Contacting a Lawyer
Arguably one of the most important things to do after any accident is to contact an attorney from a reputable law firm. While some people might be compelled to perform their legal defense, it is an ill-advised strategy. An experienced attorney can help you keep your documents in order and file all the necessary motions in court. Additionally, your lawyer will devise a winning legal strategy and defend you in court to obtain the best possible compensation for your injuries.
Conclusion
If you get involved in an unexpected slip and fall incident, you can sue the negligent property owner or administration to obtain financial compensation for your injuries. Contacting a competent lawyer to represent you in a slip-and-fall lawsuit is advisable, considering their years of experience in dealing with such cases. A personal injury attorney can help you obtain fair monetary compensation for your injuries.