Slip and fall injuries are no joke. It is estimated that over one million Americans will suffer a trip and fall injury and over 17,000 will die because of a slip and fall injury every year. These injuries make up approximately 15% of all work-related injuries. It is very important to be aware of what you should do if you’re ever involved in a slip and fall accident.
Always get yourself to a hospital or call for an ambulance if you are injured or if you believe you might be injured. Even if you are unsure if you are injured, it is always a better idea to play it on the safe side and seek medical attention as often times injury symptoms might not develop right away.
If you are well enough, take as many notes on the situation as you can. Write down the date, the property address, and the property owner’s name as well as the name of the owner’s insurance company. If there are any witnesses, ask them for their names and numbers as well: this will be extremely valuable later if you are pursuing legal damages.
Have an experienced personal injury attorney report the accident and your injuries to the property owner as soon as possible. Do this even if you are unsure if you are injured; not notifying the property owner right away can cause problems later if injuries develop and you need to seek compensation.
Take photos of the location where the injury occurred. If you are not well enough to do this on your own, have someone else take photos for you. Also take several photos of your injuries. The personal injury attorney you hire to handle your claim can also send someone out to take pictures. These bits of information are extremely critical evidence and will play a large role in determining the value of your case.
It is very important that you do not speak to the property owner’s insurance agency without first consulting with a qualified personal injury lawyer. It is the lawyer’s job to guide you through the complicated process of dealing with the insurance company and making sure you are properly compensated for your injuries. Keep in mind that the property owner’s insurance company is never on your side regardless of how helpful they may seem. It is their job to pay you out as little money as possible.
The earlier you involve an attorney in your case the better; they will be able to make sure you document all important pieces of evidence and will help to investigate your case fully and make sure you aren’t taken advantage of. If you are unsure if you have a case you should still seek a free consultation with a qualified personal injury lawyer. There is never any obligation or attorneys fee on injury type matters, and a personal injury attorney will be able to assist you in your claim at every step of the way.
This is a guest blog post from our attorney friends at PI Law in Rockland County, NY.