When you’ve been the victim of a slip and fall accident caused by someone else’s negligence, it can be a stressful and confusing time. You may not know what your next steps should be. However, the steps you take after your fall may have an impact on the success of your claim. If possible, you should take these steps after your slip and fall accident:
Report the Slip and Fall Accident
In order to prove that you even had a slip and fall accident, it’s important that there is documentation. Report the incident to the property owner or manager of the business. Make sure they prepare an incident report and get a copy of that report. Get the contact information for the property owner and the insurance company, if possible.
Take Photographs
A picture is worth a thousand words, so be sure that you, or someone that is with you, take pictures of the scene. Look for what may have caused your fall, such as a spill on the floor, cracked flooring, or debris. You want to capture the defect before it is repaired by the property owner.
Talk to Witnesses
Determine if there were any witnesses to your slip and fall accident or to the condition that caused your fall. Get their contact information. Their testimony can prove to be very valuable.
Preserve Evidence
Hold onto the clothes and shoes you were wearing at the time of the incident and have someone take a picture of you after the fall. An insurance adjuster may try to argue that your clothing or shoes contributed to your fall, so it is important to have that information documented. Also, be sure to hold on to any medical bills or documentation of lost wages, witness statements, and accident reports.
Get Medical Attention for Your Slip and Fall Accident
The most important thing you can do after a slip and fall accident is to seek medical attention. Even if you don’t initially feel as though you’ve been injured, it is important to seek help because the adrenaline of the fall may prevent you from feeling pain and other symptoms. Seeking medical treatment right after the fall shows that there is a link between the accident and your injuries, so it is important to get help as soon as possible.
Contact an Experienced Personal Injury Attorney
If you’ve been injured in a slip and fall accident, you should have an experienced personal injury attorney evaluate your case. At Bonina & Bonina, P.C., we’ve been helping negligence victims for over 50 years. Contact us online or call us at 1-888-MEDLAW1 to schedule your free consultation. Home and hospital visits are available. Se habla español.