What to Do After a Slip and Fall Accident
Accidents are, by nature, unexpected–– as are the injuries that follow. It can be hard to think clearly in the succeeding moments when adrenaline and tensions run high.
If you have been or are ever injured in a slip and fall accident, knowing what to do after the fall can offer much-needed reassurance. Also, the steps you take after a fall affect both your health and legal rights. A personal injury lawyer from Meldon Law can explain more. Explore your options when you call (352) 373-8000.
Considerations Immediately After the Accident
Following your slip and fall, check for injuries and determine your immediate medical needs. Contact 911 for medical assistance–– whether that ends up being an ambulance ride to the hospital or on-site care by an emergency medical technician (EMT).
If there doesn’t seem to be an injury that requires urgent care, you should still see a medical professional as soon as possible. Some injuries are not immediately evident, and the longer you wait to get treatment, the more serious your condition could become.
Report the Accident to Law Enforcement
Ask for an incident report from the police or those who attended to your injuries. If you did not call 911, report the accident to the property owner or manager using the appropriate form, if they have one for reporting accidents on the premises. If there is no ready-made form, email the owner or manager with details of the accident and injury.
Take Photos of the Area and Injuries
Many of us carry phones with built-in cameras. Use that to take pictures and videos of the entire area, as well as the path you followed that led to the slip and fall. If possible, document the hazard that led to your fall. These hazards may include:
- Loose railings on a staircase
- A puddle in a walkway
- Debris or clutter
- Newly waxed floors without warning signs
- Cracked or uneven flooring
Also, be sure to take photos of your external injuries. Doing so creates an immediate connection between your fall and the harm you suffered.
Get Witnesses’ Contact Information
Ask for the names and contact information of everyone who saw the accident. Use your phone, if possible, to video record each one as they explain what they saw. If someone does not want to be recorded on video, ask if you may record them on audio only.
It’s okay if you couldn’t get this information. When you hire a slip and fall injury lawyer from Meldon Law, we can investigate the details of your fall and build a compelling case.
Considerations After You’ve Left the Accident Scene
There are additional considerations once you’ve left the accident scene. They include:
Limiting What You Share Online
The property owner or claims adjuster may look for any shred of information to discredit your case. That includes anything you share on your social media pages. While your case progresses, limit what you share about your accident and injuries. You don’t want to give the other party any reason to deny damages.
Collecting Evidence
Proving fault and liability for a slip and fall injury can be difficult. That’s because, immediately after your fall, the hazard could get removed. While a lawyer can gather the evidence needed to build your case, if possible, you should keep the following information and share it with your legal team:
- Copies of police and medical reports
- Copies of communications concerning the accident between you and the property owner or manager
- Personal notes detailing the incident
- Eyewitness statements
- Visual evidence
- Your clothing and shoes worn at the time of the accident, bagged and uncleaned
- A physical sample of what you slipped on (if applicable)
Refusing to Give a Recorded Statement
The insurance company may ask for a recorded statement, saying that it wants to hear what happened in your own words. Don’t be fooled; this is a tactic many insurance companies use to twist claimants’ words into things they didn’t intend. When you have a lawyer on your side, you don’t have to worry about this. They can handle all communications with the liable insurance company and protect your rights.
You Can Explore Your Options With a Slip and Fall Attorney
If you slipped and fell on someone else’s property due to another’s negligence, Meldon Law can handle your case’s obligations. This includes:
Investigating the Details of Your Slip and Fall
As the injured party, you must prove that the responsible person knew or should have known about the dangerous condition on their property yet failed to address it. Then, the dangerous condition caused you to slip, fall, and suffer injuries.
An attorney will investigate the details of your fall and gather supporting evidence. This may involve interviewing witnesses, visiting the accident scene, and reviewing the property’s maintenance records.
Seeking Compensation for Your Losses
Your lawyer has one primary goal: to recover compensation for your injury-related losses. Compensable losses may comprise:
- Medical expenses
- Lost income
- Loss of future earnings
- Property damage expenses
- Pain and suffering
- Scarring or disfigurement
- Disability
- Diminished quality of life
Your lawyer may first start your pursuit of compensation by filing a claim with the negligent party’s insurance company. However, if the insurer isn’t open to negotiating or settling, we may file a lawsuit. This involves taking depositions, cross-examining witnesses, and understanding courtroom procedure.
It also involves filing your lawsuit within the statute of limitations. Per Florida Statutes § 95.11, you generally have two years to file a personal injury lawsuit. It’s vital that we act within this deadline because, if we don’t, you could lose the right to seek damages.
Connect With Meldon Law’s Slip and Fall Legal Team
At Meldon Law, we are passionate about protecting our clients’ rights and fighting for every dime they deserve. We won’t back down in pursuit of full and fair compensation for those we consider family. Our legal team is a force to be reckoned with, as evidenced by our client testimonials.
Begin your free case evaluation with one of our slip and fall attorneys. Call (352) 373-8000 today. We are on your side.
