Steps To Take After A Florida Slip And Fall Accident
While some slip and fall accidents are unpreventable, many of these accidents are preventable. Sometimes, property owners neglect to ensure their premises are safe. If you suffered an injury in a Florida slip and fall accident because of a property owner’s negligence, you might have the right to file a slip and fall claim and recover monetary damages.
If you sustained a severe injury in a Florida slip-and-fall accident because a property owner failed to ensure the safety of their premise, it is crucial that you understand the steps to take to protect your right to fair compensation. The following are five of the steps you should take if you were injured in a Florida slip-and-fall accident to protect your right to fair compensation;
Step #1: Seek Immediate Medical Treatment
The first thing you should do after sustaining injuries in a Florida slip-and-fall accident due to a property owner’s negligence is to seek medical attention. If you do not seek medical attention promptly, your condition could worsen. Your health should be your top priority. Also, if you fail to seek medical treatment promptly, the insurance company might use that against you. The insurance company might claim that you suffered your injuries in a different incident. The insurance company could use this argument to deny you compensation. Seeing a doctor immediately after suffering injuries in an accident can help establish a link between the accident and injuries.
Step #2: Report the Accident
After a slip and fall accident, ensure you report the accident to the property manager, owner, or another person in charge. You can also report your accident to the police. After you report your accident, request a copy of the accident report or police report. This is crucial evidence that can help you build a strong claim and recover the compensation you deserve.
Step #3: Gather Evidence
If your condition allows you, try to collect as much evidence as possible. For example, take pictures of the accident scene and your injuries. Timely pictures are crucial. Expect the other side to lie about what occurred. Accident scenes get cleaned up, and injuries heal over time, but photographs remain unchanged. Write down the accident details while they are still fresh in your mind. Also, collect witnesses’ statements, their names, and contact information. Witnesses can help you prove your claim. Witnesses can help corroborate your story.
Step #4: Refrain From Giving Statements
If the liable party reaches out to you, you should refrain from giving statements. You should also avoid discussing your slip-and-fall case with too many people. This includes avoiding posting anything on social media about your case. Additionally, refrain from giving a recorded statement to the negligent party’s insurance company if they ask for one. Your statements can and will be used against you to deny or devalue your claim.
Step #5: Contact an Attorney
An attorney is the best person to work with when looking to protect your legal rights. So contact a qualified attorney if you sustained injuries in a Florida slip and fall accident because of a property owner’s negligence. An attorney can help you with, among other things, gathering evidence and fighting any dirty tactics the defense side might try to use.
Contact a Delray Beach Slip & Fall Lawyer
If you’ve suffered injuries in a Florida slip & fall accident due to a property owner’s negligence, and need help protecting your right to fair compensation, contact a Delray Beach slip & fall lawyer at Lyons & Snyder.