What to Do Right After a Slip and Fall Accident

When involved in a slip and fall accident, whether on public or private property, there are a number of important things you should consider which will assist you in bringing a successful claim.

Take a picture

While likely not the first thing on your mind when you are dealing with an injury after a fall, either you or a witness to the fall should try and take a photo with a camera/iPhone/Blackberry of the surrounding area. In order to be successful in a lawsuit, you need to demonstrate what caused you to fall and that the hazard should not have been there in the first place. Taking a picture will capture the scene of the incident at the time you fell. These photos can then be shown to a Jury to highlight the condition of the area, and demonstrate how the defendant was negligent in their maintenance of the property.

Get medical attention

The earlier you begin documenting your injuries the better. People often slip and fall and then wait a few days, thinking the pain will just go away. Insurance companies look to medical records to see how you have described the accident’s to your doctors, and what complaints you had immediately after the accident. If you delay reporting your injuries to a medical professional, many questions can arise as to when the accident actually happened, if there were any subsequent falls in the days between your incident and when you first sought medical attention. Insurance companies also try and argue that by not seeking medical help at first instance, you injuries were minor. There is no reward for trying to fight through the pain.

Keep your footwear

Even though a lawsuit may take on average 1-3 years to conclude, it is critical to keep your shoes, sneakers or boots until you either settle your claim, or the case goes to Trial. Often, insurance adjusters or defense lawyers want to examine your shoes to look at the tread, their age and general condition in order to determine if faulty footwear contributed to the fall. It is for these reasons that once you have a slip and fall accident, that you should not wear these shoes again until your case resolves. While putting a good pair of winter boots in the closet for 2 years is not ideal for most people, preserving the evidence will go a long way in assisting your claim.

Call a lawyer at Preszler Injury Lawyers

It is extremely important to call us as soon as possible following an accident. Insurance companies often try and get statements from you before you have a lawyer, and even try and get you to settle your case for a fraction of its value without the benefit of legal advice. These statements can prejudice your case greatly. In addition, important liability questions can be answered at the start of a claim including whether video surveillance of the incident exists and whether it has been preserved. At Preszler Injury Lawyers, we may be able to help you with every step of the process in order to ensure that your rights are protected and that someone is advocating on your behalf.