Key Steps to Take After a Slip and Fall Accident
by
Matthew Hennesy on Jul. 31, 2017
Accident & Injury Personal Injury Accident & Injury Accident & Injury Slip & Fall Accident
Summary: These are the most important steps for you to take after a slip and fall.
The steps that you take immediately following a slip and fall accident can critically impact your chances of winning any injury lawsuit
against the property owner. The burden of proof rests on you as the
slip and fall victim to show that you fell and injured yourself as the
result of a dangerous condition that the owner knew or should have known
about. Even if you aren't certain that you want to pursue legal action,
taking preparatory steps soon after your injury can help preserve your
options and protect your rights. With that in mind, here are the four
key steps to take following a slip and fall accident.
Important details and key information that may seem so clear in your mind immediately after your accident can quickly fade from your memory, particularly given how stressful slip and fall accidents can be. Recording all of the details that you remember regarding the circumstances of your accident as soon as possible can prove invaluable when you seek medical treatment and consult a lawyer. In particular, focus on recording key details that can help prove the property owner's fault, such as the circumstances that led to your fall, any obvious hazards in the area that you noticed, any indications that the area had dangerous conditions and any warning signs posted to alert visitors to the potential danger. Moreover, because any witness testimony could prove critical, take down the names and contact information for any potential witnesses.
Seeking medical treatment quickly is important in both protecting your health and preserving any key evidence that may play a role in your personal injury lawsuit. Using the information that you documented, provide your doctor with a full picture of the circumstances that led to your slip and fall in order to receive an accurate diagnosis and to ensure that the medical report correctly reflects the details of your injury. It is important to remember that the effects of your slip and fall injury may not immediately appear; even if you don't feel hurt, your injuries could be serious and warrant seeking immediate medical attention.
Informing the store manager or the landlord of the property where you had your slip and fall accident is an important step in establishing the timeline should you pursue legal relief. Make sure that whomever you speak to makes a written report and that you receive a copy of the report before leaving. However, outside of this, do not talk about your accident with anyone other than your doctor or attorney. Refrain from discussing the incident on social media or giving statements to any insurance company before receiving guidance from your attorney.
A qualified personal injury attorney can help you navigate the process of collecting evidence and filing a lawsuit. Lawyers who routinely deal with slip and fall accidents know the proper questions to ask and can assist you in getting answers for any questions that you might have. Keep in mind that it is difficult to prove liability in many slip and fall cases, and large stores and property owners in particular may have resources that are hard to contend with on your own.
An experienced personal injury attorney may provide you with the best chance of recovering damages from an at-fault property owner. Farrar, Hennesy & Tanner, LLC have been in business protecting injured people in Georgia since 1949. Get a free case review and see how they can help you.
Fully Document Everything
Important details and key information that may seem so clear in your mind immediately after your accident can quickly fade from your memory, particularly given how stressful slip and fall accidents can be. Recording all of the details that you remember regarding the circumstances of your accident as soon as possible can prove invaluable when you seek medical treatment and consult a lawyer. In particular, focus on recording key details that can help prove the property owner's fault, such as the circumstances that led to your fall, any obvious hazards in the area that you noticed, any indications that the area had dangerous conditions and any warning signs posted to alert visitors to the potential danger. Moreover, because any witness testimony could prove critical, take down the names and contact information for any potential witnesses.
Seek Medical Treatment Immediately
Seeking medical treatment quickly is important in both protecting your health and preserving any key evidence that may play a role in your personal injury lawsuit. Using the information that you documented, provide your doctor with a full picture of the circumstances that led to your slip and fall in order to receive an accurate diagnosis and to ensure that the medical report correctly reflects the details of your injury. It is important to remember that the effects of your slip and fall injury may not immediately appear; even if you don't feel hurt, your injuries could be serious and warrant seeking immediate medical attention.
Report Your Accident-But Do Not Give Statements
Informing the store manager or the landlord of the property where you had your slip and fall accident is an important step in establishing the timeline should you pursue legal relief. Make sure that whomever you speak to makes a written report and that you receive a copy of the report before leaving. However, outside of this, do not talk about your accident with anyone other than your doctor or attorney. Refrain from discussing the incident on social media or giving statements to any insurance company before receiving guidance from your attorney.
Speak With an Attorney
A qualified personal injury attorney can help you navigate the process of collecting evidence and filing a lawsuit. Lawyers who routinely deal with slip and fall accidents know the proper questions to ask and can assist you in getting answers for any questions that you might have. Keep in mind that it is difficult to prove liability in many slip and fall cases, and large stores and property owners in particular may have resources that are hard to contend with on your own.
An experienced personal injury attorney may provide you with the best chance of recovering damages from an at-fault property owner. Farrar, Hennesy & Tanner, LLC have been in business protecting injured people in Georgia since 1949. Get a free case review and see how they can help you.