Steps to Take After a Slip and Fall Accident

What You Do After a Slip and Fall Accident Can Determine the Outcome of Your Case?

A slip-and-fall accident can have devastating consequences, and you could sustain life-long injuries such as head trauma, bone fractures, and spine injuries. When a slip and fall is due to a property owner’s negligence, you have a legal right to pursue a claim for your medical expenses and other damages.

Unfortunately, recovering compensation from the negligent party or their insurance company can be complex. They can dispute the claim or try to pay you less than your case is worth. Skilled personal injury lawyers in Fresno can fight for your rights, but the outcome may depend on the steps you take after the accident. Here’s what they recommend you do:

Report the Accident to the Property Managers or Owners

Ensure you file a report with whoever is in charge of the establishment where the accident happened immediately after the fall. Ask to file a formal report, which many establishments should be able to help you do. Remember to request a copy of the report, which will be crucial when making a claim.

Not filing a report means there’s no record of the accident, which can make it hard for Fresno slip-and-fall attorneys to pursue a claim on your behalf. If your injuries are so severe that you’re unable to get up or move around, ask someone to file the report on your behalf as you seek medical attention.

Don’t Give Statements

As you give a report of the accident to the property owners, remain calm and limit your communication with the person you report to. They could look for loopholes in your statement and use them against you to avoid paying you for the damages.

Additionally, avoid posting details of the accident or the legal steps you intend to take on social media. Most importantly, avoid blaming anyone, and don’t take any blame either.

Document the Accident Scene

If your condition allows, take photos of the accident scene, capturing the conditions that contributed to the accident. These could be slippery floors, poor lighting, or poorly maintained staircases.

Take note of what you were doing before the accident, how you fell, and the exact time and date of the fall. It’s also wise to record any visible injuries. Fresno personal injury attorneys also advise placing the clothing and shoes you wore during the accident in a safe storage place. They could be relevant pieces of evidence later.
If there are witnesses, collect their names, contacts, and addresses. Your Fresno slip-and-fall attorneys could contact them for their testimony on how the accident happened, which can strengthen your claim.

Seek Medical Attention

Seeking medical attention is crucial in helping your Fresno slip-and-fall lawyers build a strong compensation claim. Documenting your injuries at the accident scene is not enough, as a medical professional must ascertain the type and extent of the injuries. An expert analysis of the injuries is crucial evidence to prove your claim.

Besides, seeking immediate medical care after the accident can go a long way in preventing further complications. The full extent of your injuries may not be apparent immediately after the accident, and if you have head trauma, you may not realize it until later. Various other injuries may not be evident immediately after the accident.

Medical professionals know what to look for and can thoroughly assess you for hidden injuries. With proper medical care, you increase your chances of full recovery. It also puts you in a position to build a complete case for a fair financial recovery.

Be Wary of Insurance Company Representatives

Once you file a compensation claim, you may hear from an insurance adjuster assigned to your case. Be cautious with the amount of information you disclose, keeping in mind that insurance companies tend to look for ways to pay victims less than they deserve. Don’t fall for their tricks, including getting you to accept blame or minimize the injuries to receive compensation.

Also, avoid signing a release form allowing adjusters to review your medical records. Consult skilled Fresno slip and fall attorneys on how to respond to calls by insurance companies and why you shouldn’t accept the initial settlement offer.

Consult Skilled Personal Injury Lawyers

Slip-and-fall accident cases can be complex, and pursuing compensation can take a toll on you if you don’t understand what to do. Slip-and-fall accident lawyers with experience in the field are a valuable resource in helping you navigate the intricacies of premises liability claims. They can help you maintain a case file with all the crucial documents related to your case.

Lawyers can also handle all the complex paperwork and the case details so that you can focus on getting well. They can also ensure you pursue a claim within the stipulated deadlines to reduce the chances of your case being dismissed if it needs to go to court.

A Skilled Personal Injury Lawyer Helping You Navigate Slip and Fall Cases

If you get injured in a slip-and-fall accident, the injuries could be severe and expensive to treat. Luckily, you don’t have to pay the cost of treating the injuries out of pocket. Skilled Fresno slip and fall lawyers can help you pursue a compensation claim from the negligent party to help you meet the medical and living expenses.

Nunes Law Inc. is a reputable personal injury law firm in Fresno with knowledgeable personal injury lawyers. We can investigate your slip-and-fall accident and help you take the necessary legal steps to pursue the compensation you deserve as you focus on healing and recovery. Call us at 559-702-5124 to schedule a FREE consultation.