Steps To Take Following A Slip And Fall Accident
Slipping and falling can result in major injuries, but this is a type of accident that individuals will often downplay. However, you may be able to pursue legal action to recover the financial and physical damages that you have suffered.
Undergo A Medical Evaluation
Immediately after suffering from the slip and fall accident, you should always undergo a medical evaluation as quickly as possible. There are many instances where injuries from the accident can be far more severe than you may have anticipated.
By being evaluated by a doctor as soon as possible following the accident, you can document these injuries and start treatment. This will help to limit the pain that you experience while also helping to create a strong evidentiary link between the accident and your injuries.
Document Any Potential Witnesses
As with any type of legal proceeding, the witnesses to a slip and fall accident can play a vital role. Often, these witnesses will be called on to testify about what they saw of the accident.
Unfortunately, it is a common mistake for individuals to fail to document the potential witnesses for their accident. This can make it more difficult to collect statements that could be used to corroborate your side of events. By getting the contact information for those that may have witnessed the accident, your attorney will be more easily able to contact them to collect statements.
Avoid Attempting To Represent Yourself
Throughout the process of settling the claim, there will need to be discussions with the defendant or their insurance. Unfortunately, individuals that are not experienced with handling negotiations can find themselves ill-prepared to handle these discussions.
In addition to weakening the results that you can expect, this will also put you in the position of having to dedicate substantial amounts of time and energy into handling the discussions, documents requests, and other aspects of settling these matters. By retaining a slip and fall injury attorney, you can outsource this work to a professional that can efficiently handle these tasks while ensuring that your rights are protected.
Follow Your Doctor's Treatment Recommendations
Recovering from a slip and fall accident can be a surprisingly lengthy affair. During this time, it is vital for you to follow your doctor's treatment as closely as possible. This may include following activity restrictions. It is important for you to follow these steps as this will help to expedite your recovery. Additionally, it can help you avoid the risk of complications developing that may require additional treatment, as the defense may be able to effectively contest these liabilities.