What You Need to Do After a Slip and Fall Accident

A slip and fall accident can sometimes be fatal. It is one of the most common personal injuries, which might occur in places like sidewalks, workplaces, and even at home. Reasons for such accidents may be wet floors, hazardous conditions, potholes, etc. The aftermath of the accident is very painful. 

A slip and fall accident can cause severe physical injuries like a sprained ankle, head injury, and spinal cord injury. One becomes physically and mentally drained.  

Even though a slip and fall accident might seem minor, it can cause severe financial burdens. One may also face mounting medical bills and loss of income. Hence, it is important to know what to do immediately after the accident. Here’s a simple guide. 

Seek Medical Care 

Always prioritize your health first. After being injured in a slip and fall accident, you should seek medical attention. Some injuries might not show up immediately due to adrenaline masking. If the accident is severe, immediately call 911. A medical professional will assess and document your health condition. 

This medical record can be used as vital evidence if you are planning to pursue a claim. Be honest with the medical professional about the pain and discomfort that you feel. Downplaying your injury can be used against you later by insurance companies. 

Gather Every Detail of Your Slip and Fall Accident 

If you can move, then try to collect important evidence that caused the slip and fall accident. Evidence such as. 

Click Photos and Videos: Take pictures of the scene from various perspectives with your smartphone. A wet floor, dim light, and damaged steps are a few examples of specific hazards. 

Note the Time, Date, and Location: Precisely record the date and time of when the accident took place. Also note down the exact location of the premise. These details are very helpful while filing a police report. 

Look for Witnesses: Find anyone who witnessed your fall. Get their names, email addresses, and phone numbers. Testimony from witnesses can be helpful. 

Preserve the Evidence: Keep evidence like the clothes and shoes you wore in the fall. They might have significant scuff marks, which are useful in proving fault. 

Try to Report the Accident

Reporting to the property owner, manager, or landlord about the accident is very important. This might be very essential during future legal proceedings. After you find the proper authority, demand an official accident report from them. 

The main purpose of the report is that it serves as an official acknowledgment by the premises owner that the fall occurred on their property. It is important evidence in any potential legal claim. Don’t forget to get a copy of the report. In case the police are involved, get a report from them as well. Because a police report is unbiased and based on actually what happened. 

Tips for Your Statement 

Before giving your statement for the incident report, keep these things in mind. 

• Be precise and truthful about the incident. Give correct information about where you fell, when you fell, and how you fell. 

• Never try to guess the cause of the fall. You should only focus on the hazards that you faced. 

Be Careful with Your Communications 

Always be mindful of what you talk about the incident with others. Insurers may try to twist your words against you. Do not give a recorded statement or accept a quick settlement from the insurance company. Also, don’t sign any documents without consulting your lawyer. 

Another important thing to take care of is social media. Don’t post anything about the accident. This evidence may be used against you in the legal proceedings. 

Hire a Lawyer 

The best practice in a slip and fall accident is consulting a lawyer. They can evaluate your case, determine the damage, and negotiate with insurance companies to get you the right compensation. A personal injury lawyer can help you build a strong case. 

Key Takeaways 

• First, get medical care in a slip and fall accident. 

• Gather evidence like photos and videos for legal proceedings. 

• Report the incident, and don’t forget to get a copy from the property authority. 

• Avoid communicating with others about the accident. 

• Always prefer a lawyer to get the right legal aid.