Although the risk of slipping and falling is one that most people typically disregard until it occurs to them or someone they know, anyone can be involved in a slip-and-fall catastrophe. In some cases, these mishaps result in little more than a few bruises and a dented ego, but in other others, they can result in serious injuries or even death.
Follow all of these advice to maximize your compensation if you ever slip, fall, and get hurt.
Stay Calm
Even though it may be more straightforward to say than to do, this is crucial. Even though sliding and falling can be confusing, you should try to maintain as much composure as you can. Pay attention to your surroundings and make notes about them. Note the precise location of your slip, what you were doing when it happened, how well-lit the area was, whether anything was in your way of seeing where you were going, what shoes you were wearing, whether you were carrying anything, where you were looking, and what substance you think contributed to your slip. Examine your clothing and shoes to determine if they are damp as well.
You should write down as many details about your accident as you can because you will be questioned about it for what seems like an eternity in the months and perhaps even years to come. It will be quite advantageous in the long run for you to pay close attention to details now.
Get and Save Photos of Everything Attached to the Incident
A picture is worth a thousand words, but in some circumstances, a photograph can be worth hundreds or even millions of dollars. When jurors view them, they will have a real impact since they represent concrete, dependable, and objective evidence that is virtually impossible to fake. Even while it’s effective to describe your agony and deformity to a jury or an insurance adjuster, having photos of your injuries will assist you to strengthen your claim with a strong visual component. In light of this, you should be sure to at the very least take pictures of the place where you slipped and fell, any injuries you received as a result of the fall, the shoes and clothing you were wearing at the time of the incident, and the substance that caused you to slip. Keep the shoes you were wearing when the accident occurred as well. They provide important evidence.
Speak with Each Witness
If you are physically able, you should make a point of speaking with everyone who saw your accident or what happened after it happened. They may be able to provide more insight into how the accident occurred because they may have observed it from a different angle. They may have even witnessed someone else fall in the same location just before you. Witness testimony is given a lot of weight, especially that of independent witnesses who don’t know you or anyone you know. Because independent witnesses often have nothing to gain from testifying, their testimony is thought to be especially credible. Although testimony from friends and family members can be beneficial, it is more likely to be met with skepticism due to the presumption that they are prejudiced in your favor.
Contact an Experienced Lawyer
Find a local law firm to represent you if you sustain a catastrophic injury. An experienced slip and fall attorney Long Island will be familiar with the strategies used by local businesses, property owners, and insurance providers to counter cases just like yours. After a slip-and-fall incident, you require strong, approachable local advocates who can provide you with the best representation possible.
Write Incident Report in Detail
One of your most important pieces of evidence will be an incident report. If you fall while on a commercial site, there should be at least one employee on the scene who can document your fall in writing. When the employee completes the report, ask to see it to confirm its accuracy. You should also ask to have a copy provided to you. Keep in mind that you want to be in charge of the story.
Get Emergency Medication
You owe it to yourself and your loved ones to make sure, even if you don’t appear to be hurt or feel that way. If you can, get yourself as quickly as you can to a medical centre close by. Call the ambulance if you are too hurt or overburdened to seek assistance on your own. The emergency medical technicians in the ambulance will evaluate you to ascertain the type and severity of your wounds. They will drive you there in the ambulance if you require to be sent to the hospital for additional testing and treatment.
Keep Getting Medication till Full Recovery
You must continue receiving treatment until your doctors tell you that you are totally recovered, regardless of whether your injuries necessitate a follow-up appointment with your family doctor, years of intensive rehabilitation and many operations, or anything in between. When you have made the most medical progress, the individuals who are caring for you will inform you. Rely on them. You can cease receiving treatment without risk after they release you from their care.
Without the right tools, the period after a slip-and-fall accident can be daunting. Don’t allow yourself to be a helpless target of someone else’s carelessness. You will be doing yourself a favor if you take the above actions if you slip and fall and hurt yourself. One apparently unimportant fact in your case could have a huge impact on how successful it is, therefore you don’t want to overlook it.
