Although a slip and fall may not seem that bad, injuries from slips and falls can be pretty serious and the negligence of property owners causes accidents like these. The property owners with hazards on their properties need to be held accountable for the danger they put their visitors in. Slips and falls vary in severity but any slip and fall victim is able to navigate their problems with these tips from a personal injury lawyer with our friends at the Brandy Austin Law Firm.
First and foremost you need to determine the cause of your fall, specifically what hazard caused you to slip and fall. It could be something such as a spilled item in a grocery store or uneven sidewalk at your apartment complex. Once you determine what caused your fall you can determine if it was a hazard or not. If you simply tripped over your shoelace then that would not be a hazard at the fault of the property owner, whereas if you fell because of a hazard then the property owner would be at fault.
Secondly, you would need to gather evidence. Take pictures and videos of the hazard that caused your fall and the surrounding area. There may be security cameras in the area of your injury which can help you with proof of the accident. Your injuries will also need to be documented through photos and medical records. Any photos, videos, or records of the incident will benefit you when it comes to proving who is at fault, so take as many as possible. If there are any witnesses that you are able to speak to that have seen the hazardous condition this can help your case. This helps prove that yourself and others were at risk due to the property owner’s neglect. In the event that the property owner tries to blame you, witnesses can confirm your story and will prove that you are not at fault.
If the accident occurs at a public place such as a store, you can speak with the manager and ask to file an accident report. The manager can give you a copy of this report as well which can be used later in case you hire an attorney and need proof of the incident. The detailed report will include information such as when the incident occurred, what happened, and what the hazard was.
If you experienced a fall it is important to go to the doctor to see if you have any injuries and what they are. Even if you don’t think you have any serious injuries it’s important to check and make sure. This is one of the most important things to do so that if you are injured you can begin treatment as soon as possible to begin your healing process.
Finally, if you were injured it is important to hire a lawyer. Your lawyer can help you investigate your case, inform you of your rights, and guide you through any legal issues you may have. The proof of your injury and the hazard are a good start in the information that your attorney will need.
