Three Steps To Take After A Slip-And-Fall Accident
If you have been injured as the result of a slip-and-fall accident and you believe someone's negligence or actions caused the accident, you may be able to file a personal injury claim. Filing a claim allows you to recover money for your medical expenses, the money you lost due to your inability to work, and potentially money for pain and suffering. The actions you take following the accident can have a major impact on your ability to successfully prove and win your case. Here are three important steps to take after a slip-and-fall accident.
Report the Accident
Following the slip-and-fall accident, always take the time to report the accident if you are able to do so. For example, if you slipped and fell in a grocery store, be sure to notify employees or management about your slip-and-fall incident. In most cases, they will write up an incident report documenting that you reported the slip and fall. If there is camera footage, the camera footage may also be pulled to verify what happened. Without an accident report, you may say you slipped and fell there, and the store can argue they have no record of you slipping and falling there. This makes it hard to prove where the injury occurred. Additionally, this makes them aware of the issue and hopefully causes them to take action to correct the problem before someone else is injured.
Take Pictures of the Accident Scene
Another key step to take after a slip-and-fall accident is to take pictures of the accident scene. After you report the slip-and-fall accident, chances are, the accident scene will change. If you slipped on a puddle of water, that water may be mopped up. If you slipped on an icy surface, de-icers may be used to help melt the ice. Always take pictures of the accident scene as quickly as possible to help document exactly what caused your fall and what conditions were like when you fell.
Obtain Witness Contact Information
Lastly, if anyone witnessed your slip-and-fall accident, be sure to obtain contact information from them. Once those individuals walk away, finding them again can be challenging. However, the information they provide can be key to proving your case. As such, ask for their name and address so they can be called to testify later down the road if needed.
If you believe that you may be able to file a slip-and-fall personal injury case, be sure to consult with a personal injury law firm. They can help you determine whether you have a compensable case and what the deadlines are for you to file a case. Most personal injury law firms offer free consultations, so don't let a lack of money stop you. Call to schedule your appointment today.
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