If you or a member of your family has been affected by injury or loss due to a slip and fall accident, it is imperative that you contact our team of New York-based personal injury lawyers today. Call us at 1.800.966.4999 or fill out the form to the right of the page for immediate attention to your case. We will fight for you!
When an accident happens, it’s natural to panic, especially if you’re in pain. However, there are several important steps a victimized party should take following an accident to protect his or her rights.
Seek Medical Assistance after a Slip and Fall accident
The first thing anyone involved in a slip and fall or trip and fall accident should do is see a medical professional. When you receive medical attention, be sure to explain how your injuries occurred.
Carefully document your injuries and be aware that your symptoms and pains may change over the next few days. This will help you present your injuries to your doctor, who in turn will make them part of your official medical record.
Report the accident to the Property Owner or Tenant
You should immediately report the incident to the owner or tenant of the property where the accident occurred.
At this point, it is crucial that you do not discuss particulars of the accident. Simply report when and where it happened.
You must also use neutral language: in reporting your accident, do not blame anyone, including yourself, for what happened.
Enlist the help of accident witnesses
The next step is to take down the contact information of any witnesses who may have seen your accident. Remember to get their names, addresses and phone numbers.
Save evidence of the accident
Try to note the conditions that may have helped to cause your accident. These may be conditions such as uncleared ice and snow, uneven flooring, cracked or broken sidewalks, or other similar conditions. Take a picture of the defect with a camera or a cell phone.
If possible, try to preserve a sample of the foreign material that contributed to your accident. Do not throw this or any other evidence away including bloody clothes or ruined shoes. Place them in storage for future use.
Take notes about your Slip and Fall accident
When you get home it is critical to write down as much information regarding the accident as you can recall. These notes will help to remind you of the circumstances of the accident and will prove invaluable if litigation is required.
Write down:
- The time and date of the accident
- Your reason for being at the place where the accident occurred
- Witnesses contact information
- Weather conditions
- Any other conditions that may have contributed to the accident
Try to map the location of the accident and diagram exactly what happened. It is extremely important to return to the scene of the accident and take photographs (which will illustrate the cause of your slip or fall).
It is also important to document any economic or social losses you incur as a result of your accident. Take note of each day of work you miss and each social occasion you cannot take part in because of your injuries.
Enlisting legal help for slip and fall accidents
Contact an attorney BEFORE YOU CALL YOUR INSURANCE COMPANY if you have questions about your legal rights. It's important to remember that insurance companies, particularly the insurance company of the responsible party, often do not have your best interests at heart. An attorney can provide you with guidance and more information that will help you with your case.
If you have been injured in a slip and fall or trip and fall accident or if you simply need more information, please contact us immediately at 1-800-966-4999 and see why our law firm has recovered over $100 million on behalf of our clients. We will fight for you!
