After you have suffered from injuries from a slip and fall accident, you may be thinking that you wish you had a list handy so that you knew what steps to take. Things can be confusing immediately following an accident, especially with the rush of adrenaline (and maybe embarrassment). You may just be trying to get out of the store or whatever public place you are in as quickly as possible so that you can go home and rest in peace. However, this is not what you should be doing. Instead, one of the best things you can do is make a mental checklist of what you need following a slip and fall accident. Unless an ambulance is driving you to the hospital because you are seriously injured, there are a few things you can do at the scene of the accident to help with your claim.
- Report the accident to the store manager. Do this as quickly as possible following the accident. You can do it to the store manager, landlord, homeowner, or someone who is highly ranked in the building you are in. It is important to let someone know that you were injured and that there is a safety threat to others. The person who is in charge should write up a safety report and this will be important to get a copy of for your claim.
- Avoid talking too much. You don’t want to go into great detail about what happened, how severe your injuries are, and whether you think you will recover okay. The store manager and other employees do not need to know these details, especially as you likely do not have a full picture of them yet either. Instead, be polite, exchange information, and do not take fall for the accident.
- Avoid becoming angry. This can be hard to do sometimes, but as a lawyer, becoming angry or overly emotional can downplay your claim and make you seem less stable. It is completely appropriate to say you are in pain and you may even be in a situation where the property owner is trying to downplay your injuries or say it was your fault. Don’t get angry. Don’t argue. Move on and bring it up with your lawyer.
- Take pictures–and quickly! “Pictures are worth a thousand words.” They may also be worth thousands of dollars. You want to take as many pictures as you can snap on your phone as possible to show the location where you fell, what caused you to fall, and the aftermath. This can paint a very clear picture for lawyers and the insurance company so that you have evidence to back up your claim.
Get Help For Your Claim Now
Getting into a slip-and-fall accident can be scary. Do not hesitate to get help from a lawyer you can rely on to help you with your claim.
