Getting into accidents is surprisingly common, and there are frequent legal complications as a result of this. This can be because someone’s injuries occurred in a public area, or due to poor health and safety management.
Personal injury attorneys need to deal with a range of cases regarding slips, trips, and falls, and the individuals that have suffered as a result of carelessness from the landowner. Here are six things that you should do after an accident, according to https://www.abellawfirm.com/.
Check The Area
Firstly, it is worth assessing the area where you experienced your slip, trip, or fall. Once you are aware of what has happened, it is important to remain still and take a mental note of the environment. Consider different areas of land, exactly where you are stood, sitting, or laying, and how you are feeling.
Now is the time to prioritize your health and check if any areas of your body are in pain or discomfort. Consider doing this before moving in order to decide how easy it will be for you to do so.
It is also important to look around the area that your accident happened in for any potential hazards. This is anything that can lead to more injuries, such as broken glass, debris, or a slippery surface.
Inform Somebody
The next thing that you should do when you experience a slip, trip, or fall is to tell someone. You can tell a bystander to contact the authorities, tell your employer if it happened at your workplace, or a property owner. Depending on the place in which the accident happened, you should aim to inform the relevant individuals.
In some cases, it can be worth asking for a copy of the accident report. This can provide additional evidence within a legal case if it is necessary. Make sure you do this before leaving the premises if possible, so that your stance it likely to be taken more seriously within a court of law.
Get Evidence
Another thing that can help you significantly if your case becomes a legal dispute is gathering evidence. If you can, take pictures of the exact place of the incident before you leave. This can involve outlining the dangerous part of the property, or other hazards which caused the accident. You should also make a note and take pictures of your injuries.
It can also be useful to make a written report of what happened. This can be done in brief using your phone’s notes app, with information about the time of day, weather conditions including visibility, who you interacted with, and what happened leading up to the accident.
By keeping information about the people who you spoke with, you can also secure eyewitnesses to the incident. Likewise, you can ask for security footage if possible in order to support your legal claim.
Get Medical Attention
Now is the time to get medical attention. Make sure any wounds are being dressed, and you are being checked for broken bones or anything caused by the incident.
Not only does this step ensure you are letting your body recover, but you can use any medical records, x-rays, and more to defend yourself. Use these as records of your injuries for insurance companies.
Next you will need to file a claim if it is necessary. You can file your injury claim with your insurance provider once you have gotten medical attention. In most states, the property or land owner is most likely to be responsible for paying for any damages.
Because of this, it is worth contacting their insurance provider and telling them what has happened.
Contact An Attorney
The final step is to call an attorney who specializes in these issues. A slip and fall attorney can give useful advice and reassurance that you were not the one who caused the incident. They can also inform you whether there is a legal case which needs to be made on your behalf.
An attorney is a highly useful person to have on your side in these situations, because they will fight for you and ensure that you are getting some form of compensation for your injuries.
Summary
Slips, trips, and falls are highly unpredictable. They can happen to anyone at any time, regardless of the place that they are in. Because each case is different, attorneys need to be knowledgeable about the entire legal process in order to provide the best possible help.
