Slip and fall accidents are one of the most common types of personal injury cases in the U.S. and can result in many types of injuries, including broken broken bones, head injuries and lacerations. These accidents often occur because of a building owner or manager’s negligence. If you are the victim of a slip and fall accident, you may be eligible for compensation. However, the actions you take right after the accident can affect your chances of getting a fair settlement. The personal injury lawyers, like a slip and fall lawyer Woodland Hills, CA trusts, share some common mistakes to avoid after a slip and fall accident:
Failing to Inform the Owner or Manager of the Accident
If you suffered a slip and fall accident at another property, it’s important to let the owner or manager know right away. While it’s not necessary to provide a lot of details, you do have to tell the manager or owner that you did slip and fall and what type of conditions caused the accident. He or she will file the accident report, which will be an important piece of accident in your claim.
Forgetting to Collect Evidence
When it comes to a slip and fall case, it’s important to gather evidence immediately. Once you leave, the property owner or manager will likely try to repair the dangerous condition that made you fall. That’s why you should take photos or record video of the conditions that caused the accident. For example, if you slipped on spilled milk at a grocery store, be sure to capture clear images of that.
Not Following Your Doctor’s Orders
One of the first things you should do after a slip and accident is see a doctor. He or she will give you a full evaluation and determine if you require treatment or not. If you doctor determines that physical therapy or another treatment is necessary for your injuries, you should follow his or her advice. If you ignore your doctor’s orders, you could jeopardize your health and hurt your claim.
Talking to Insurance Companies
After a slip and fall accident, the property owner’s insurance company will likely want to talk to you about your claim. Insurance companies are in the business of making money and may use what you say against you later. It’s best to avoid communication with insurance companies if your lawyer isn’t present.
Not Hiring a Premises Liability Lawyer
Slip and fall accident lawsuits can be tricky to navigate on your own, so it’s in your best interest to hire a skilled premises liability lawyer. An experienced lawyer has handled similar cases in the past and will know what it takes to build a strong claim. He or she can ensure you gather the evidence you need, identify witnesses and negotiate with the insurance company on your behalf.
You only have so much time to file a slip and fall accident lawsuit. Schedule a free consultation with premises liability lawyer today.
Thanks to our friends and contributors from Barry P. Goldberg, A Professional Law Corporation for their insight into slip and fall accidents.