Whether you are walking through an icy parking lot, pushing a shopping cart down the aisle of a retail store, or are walking down a flight of stairs at an apartment complex or other building, you are always at risk of suffering a slip and fall accident. Some of the most common accidents people have, they can lead to serious injuries that in some cases are life-altering. If you are considering filing a slip and fall lawsuit, here are the basics you need to know to win your case.
Get Medical Attention
Perhaps most importantly, seek medical attention immediately after your accident, especially if you hit your head during the fall. In many of these situations, victims delay medical treatment, only to find out later they sustained serious injuries to their back, neck, or brain. By getting treatment immediately and having your injuries documented, you stand a much better chance of winning your lawsuit.
File an Accident Report
If you fall at a business or elsewhere, always file an accident report with a manager or other person who is in charge. By doing so, key details of the accident scene are noted, such as spills that were not cleaned up or slippery floors that were not blocked off or noted with signage. Once you get a copy of the accident report, hand it over to your personal injury lawyer at once.
Hire an Attorney
To protect your legal rights and lay the groundwork for getting the compensation you’ll need to pay medical bills, replace your lost wages, and help you deal with the pain and suffering you are experiencing, always hire an experienced personal injury attorney who specializes in slip and fall cases. By doing so, they can negotiate with insurance companies on your behalf, often reaching an out-of-court settlement that gets your case resolved much quicker than if it went to trial.
Take Photos of the Scene
If possible, take photos of the accident scene yourself, or have a family member or friend do so if they are with you at the time. By having photos of the scene as it was at the moment your accident took place, your lawyer can have a much easier time proving the property owner was negligent.
If you follow these tips, listen to your attorney’s advice, and use common sense and good judgment along the way, you can emerge from your slip and fall accident with the financial compensation you need and deserve.