Whenever you are I any kind of accident, particularly a slip and fall incident, it’s important to arm yourself with information. Preserving information and evidence will help build a better slip and fall case should you decide to pursue that route.
Determining Fault
Accidents can happen, but that doesn’t necessarily mean someone is at fault if you are injured. The key is if the condition or environment should have been recognized as being dangerous and wasn’t fixed in a prompt manner. A third possibility is that someone’s actions actually caused the accident.
Preserving Evidence
Even if you don’t think you are injured badly or you aren’t planning any legal action as the result of your slip and fall, you should still be diligent about preserving any evidence associated with the event. This means filling out an accident report at the time of the incident and taking photographs of the accident scene with your cellphone. If you aren’t able to file a report on site, the property owner should be notified immediately or as soon as possible.
Be sure to obtain a copy of the accident report or any documentation generated after you notify those who are in charge. Make note of the shoes and clothing that you were wearing at the time, and photograph them immediately including the bottom of your shoes. Pictures of your injuries and the fall condition or object that caused them are necessary.
Your medical records from the incident are key pieces of evidence as are any surveillance footage. If any witnesses have come forward, make sure that you have their contact information and any statements they provided.
Contact an Attorney
Even if you don’t think that your injuries warrant it or you don’t think that you are going to bring a slip and fall case against the property, it’s still a good idea to contact an attorney as soon as possible after the incident. Not only can doing so help protect your rights, but you’ll also learn how an attorney can ensure that your medical bills are paid and that you have access to any compensation that you deserve.
John Fagan provides a free case review for all slip and fall cases. A seasoned accident lawyer based in Orange Park, Florida, John Fagan provides personalized service to each client.
