There is nothing funny about a slip and fall accident. They can cause significant injuries including broken bones, ankle injuries, sprains, and even head trauma. These injuries can cause huge medical bills, lost time from work, and permanent disability. If you or a loved one has slipped and fallen, and you believe it was the result of someone acting negligently, then you may be able to sue for damages.
Contact Law Offices of Fernando D. Vargas at 909-982-0707 for a free legal consultation to find out if you have a case. In the meantime, read on to learn the six steps you should take after your accident.
- Investigate the space of the fall
- Take pictures
- Gather information from witnesses
- Report the accident as required
- Follow up for medical needs
- Contact an experienced attorney
The first thing you should do is to determine why you fell. Was the ground slippery? Was it due to weather? Was there loose carpet? Had food been spilled? Was there a warning sign designating whatever the cause was? Write down everything you can remember about the place you fell and the conditions at the time you fell.
Take pictures of the scene. This includes the floor, the exact place you fell, and the issue that led to the bad conditions that caused the fall. You want to take pictures that will clearly identify the irregularities. Do this as soon after the accident as you can. If you wait, the owner of the property may correct the issue and you will be left without proof.
This is essential. You need to talk to witnesses and get their contact details. You can talk to witnesses who saw the actual fall as well as witnesses who did not see the specific fall but were aware of the conditions that led to the fall.
You will need to report the accident to whomever was in charge of the location at the time of your accident. For example, if you were in a store then you would tell the manager of the store. If you were on someone’s property, then you would tell them. If you fell at your own apartment complex, you would tell your landlord or perhaps the owner, if they are different people.
Of course, the first thing you did after the accident was to get medical help. Make sure that you follow up on anything the doctor told you to follow up on. Not following through with medications, physical therapy, or follow-up appointments can make your case harder to prove.
Finally, reach out to an attorney to find out what your options are. When you reach out to Law Offices of Fernando D. Vargas at 909-982-0707, we can provide a free legal consultation. We will take all of your evidence into consideration and offer our opinion on what the law allows as well as your chance of success. Call now to get the process started.
