Slip and fall accidents are some of the most common types of accidents that send people to hospital emergency rooms with different types of injuries. More than one million of these types of incidences occur each year throughout the United States, claiming over 17,000 lives due to fatal injuries sustained as a direct result of these accidents. Survivors of such are left with thousands of dollars in medical bills, lost wages, and a significant risk of temporary or permanent incapacitation.
If you got involved in such an accident, you might be confused on numerous fronts and have questions about paying your medical bills, pursuing legal action against the negligent party, determining the worth of your injuries, and finding ways to obtain financial compensation for your damages. While all these questions will be answered in due time, the attorneys at Friedman Levy in NYC have provided very important information on what to do after a slip and fall accident so that you may secure your legal rights.
Seeking Medical Attention
One of the foremost steps after a slip and fall accident is seeking medical attention for your injuries. Getting timely medical help can help kickstart the healing process and save you from a lot of potential medical complications associated with delayed treatment.
Reporting the Accident
If the accident occurred at someone else’s property, whether public or private, you should immediately report it to the person in charge such that an official record of the accident exists for any future legal proceedings. Reporting the accident to the property owner or manager also draws attention to the cause of the accident, which can be eliminated on time to prevent further accidents and injuries. You should also obtain a copy of this report for future reference.
Documenting the Accident
After getting medical attention, you should try your best to document the scene of the accident, including all conditions or safety hazards that might have contributed to your slip and fall injury. It is also advisable to photograph your physical injuries and any property damage you might have encountered as a result of the accident. If you cannot document the site of the accident yourself due to your injuries, you can ask a friend to do so on your behalf.
Eyewitness Information
If someone saw you slipping and falling, they might be able to support your future legal claim against the negligent party or property owner. It is advisable to obtain brief audio or written eyewitness statements regarding the accident along with their names and contact details. Collecting eyewitness information is a crucial component of building any slip and fall claim in a court of law.
Preserving Evidence
If possible, you should obtain and preserve the cause of your slip and fall accident. For example, if a banana peel resulted in this type of incident and subsequent injuries, you can keep it in a sealed bag for future legal proceedings as physical evidence of the accident. If any piece of your clothing has any valuable evidence on it, you should keep it preserved.
Legal Representation
Getting legal representation in any slip and fall accident is one of the most important steps in securing your legal rights. The liability of this type can be tricky to establish in a court of law, and an experienced personal injury lawyer can guide you throughout the process, help file the lawsuit, and assist you in getting the compensation you deserve for your damages.
