What Should You Do If You Slip and Fall?
Slip and fall accidents can cause serious and even fatal injuries. While true for people of all ages, falling can be particularly dangerous for older adults. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that one out of every five falls causes a severe injury, such as a head injury or broken bones.
Property owners have a duty to ensure their premises are reasonably safe for lawful visitors. If a property owner, store manager, or other person responsible for maintaining the safety of a property failed in this obligation, you may have grounds to seek compensation for your injuries.
At Roberts Wilson, P.A., our experienced slip and fall accident lawyers have earned a reputation for excellence in helping injured men and women throughout Northern Mississippi obtain the justice and compensation they deserve after an accident. We are committed to helping you quickly recover the maximum compensation you need to move forward.
What to Do After a Slip and Fall Accident
If you are injured in a slip and fall accident, it’s important to know what steps to take immediately following the incident to help document your case and take care of yourself.
Below are five steps to consider after a slip, and fall accident:
1. Seek Medical Attention
After a slip and fall accident, your health should be your top priority. This may seem obvious if you experience instant pain. But, even if you feel okay or just shaken up after a fall, it is still important to see a doctor right away.
Not all serious injuries exhibit immediate symptoms. Brain injuries, neck injuries, and spinal cord injuries can all possibly take hours, days, or even weeks to fully manifest. A prompt doctor visit is the best way to determine the extent of your injuries as quickly as possible.
Additionally, by postponing medical treatment, you could potentially jeopardize your case. In a personal injury claim, it is crucial to establish a record of your injuries.
Insurance companies routinely challenge claims in which there is no medical evidence of injury or no effort on the part of the victim to seek a diagnosis and treatment from a doctor. The longer you postpone medical care, the more difficult it becomes to connect your injuries to the slip and fall accident that caused them.
2. Report the Accident
No matter where the slip and fall accident occurred – whether in a store, at a friend’s house, or on a sidewalk – you should immediately report the accident to the store manager, homeowner, landlord, or other person responsible for ensuring the safety of the property where you fell. Be sure to get the details of what happened in writing. Request a written report from the property owner or manager and get a copy of the report before you leave, when possible.
Slip and fall accidents are subject to scrutiny, especially when they are not reported promptly after the incident occurred. Like failing to seek medical attention right away, failing to report the accident may send a message that you did not take your injury seriously when it occurred. This could negatively impact the results of your case.
It is important to note that while you should request a report of the accident, you should refrain from signing any documents or completing any part of a report until you speak with a slip and fall lawyer.
3. Document as Much as Possible
If you are physically able, gather as much evidence as you can at the scene of your slip and fall accident. Take several pictures from different angles of exactly where you fell and any conditions that contributed to your fall, such as water, ice, or stairs.
Collect the names, addresses, phone numbers, and email addresses of potential witnesses. Make a personal record of the facts by writing down how you fell, what you were doing right before the fall, and other details( such as the time and date).
Preserve the shoes and clothing you were wearing when you fell by placing them in a safe storage place. They may be relevant to your case later.
4. Decline to Make Statements
Do not accept blame or make any statements about the incident. Stay calm and limit your communication with the property owner or manager. As stated above, do not sign anything and do not make any statements to the insurance company until you speak with an attorney.
Also, refrain from posting details about your accident on social media. Anything you post may be used against you to discredit your case.
5. Contact an Experienced Slip and Fall Lawyer
When considering legal action, the best person to have on your side is an experienced attorney. Since many slip, trip, and fall cases are complex and difficult to prove, you are best served by choosing a reputable and proven law firm. Roberts Wilson, P.A. has the experience, knowledge, and record of success you can trust to recover the money you deserve.
Call an Oxford Slip and Fall Lawyer Today
The slip and fall accident lawyers at Roberts Wilson, P.A. have served the wrongfully injured in Northern Mississippi for more than a decade. We understand the complexities of these difficult cases and we know how to effectively advocate for our clients’ rights. We are not intimidated by big insurance companies and we don’t back down from a fight.
If you or a loved one was injured in a slip and fall accident on a dangerous property, contact Roberts Wilson, P.A. today online or at (662) 533-9111 for a free initial consultation. Our firm serves Oxford, Holly Springs, Batesville and represents people throughout North Mississippi. We handle cases on a contingency-fee basis, which means you don’t owe us any attorney fees unless we win for you.
