A slip-and-fall accident can leave you in a dazed state of disbelief. The moments following this injury are crucial for your health, and your next steps will impact the legal outcome of this tragedy.
This article explores the key measures to take after experiencing a slip-and-fall accident. Following these guidelines can help both your physical wellbeing and any potential legal action.
Step 1: Seek Medical Attention
You should see a doctor after a slip-and-fall, even if you don’t think you have suffered any serious injury. Some injuries are not obvious at first, but they can worsen over time without proper medical attention.
Seeking prompt medical help also gives you a record of your injuries, supporting support any legal claims you make in the future.
Step 2: Take Photos
Take photos of the scene of your accident, including anything that may have caused the accident. Causes can include anything from a wet spot on the floor to a loose step on the stairs.
Sometimes the initial cause, such as a spill, will be gone by the time you are able to take photos. Record the area anyway. Images can reveal vital details that are relevant to your case, even if the danger is no longer present. The more pictures you take, the better equipped you will be to provide evidence of what happened.
Also, record images of your injuries. This evidence helps establish the severity of your injuries and helps prove you were harmed in the fall.
Step 3: Collect Witnesses Information
Ask anyone who witnessed the accident to give you information such as their name and contact information. Witness accounts could provide essential details about the incident. Often, witnesses observe something that you may not remember or know. If you cannot locate witnesses, your attorney may be able to help you track them down.
Remember that every detail matters, and the more information you can collect after an accident, the faster you can get back to recovery.
Step 4: Provide a Report
When you can, give a detailed report to the property owner, manager, and anyone else responsible for maintaining safe conditions. This report should include the info you already collected, such as medical records, photographs of the accident spot, and so on. You and your lawyer will work on this report together.
Reporting the accident helps hold the responsible party accountable, and it helps ensure the problem is fixed, making the space safer for everyone.
Step 5: Document Expenses
Keep track of all expenses related to your accident, including medical bills, prescriptions, lost wages from missed work, etc. You need an accurate record of the financial impact your accident had. This record will help you and your attorney create a reasonable request for financial compensation.
Step 6: Contact an Attorney
Contact an experienced lawyer when dealing with a slip-and-fall accident. They can help protect your rights, and they will work to get you compensation for your injuries.
If someone else’s negligence led to your slip-and-fall injury, Samra Dhillon & Associates is here to stand by your side. You can schedule time with our team online, and you can reach us by phone at (916) 571-1550.
