Steps to Take Immediately Following a Slip and Fall / Dangerous Premises Injury

For a successful premises liability claim, there are specific steps you should follow. These steps will significantly help you and your case.

Seek Medical Attention

Many wonder how long you have to go to the doctor after a slip and fall. If your accident resulted in injuries, be sure to seek medical attention right away. Even if you don’t see or feel injuries after your accident, you should still see your doctor as soon as possible. Some injuries are not evident immediately following your accident and may take some time to surface. A doctor will be able to diagnose and treat your injuries.

It is equally important to follow all your doctor’s recommendations. If you are instructed to seek ongoing care or rehabilitation, be sure to do so. There will be records of your medical care and treatments, and these records will help your case.

Report the Accident

Immediately following the accident, report it to the property’s owner, manager, or any party in charge. Be sure to let them know what happened and how it happened. In the alternative, if emergency responders come to the scene, they will also create their own report, which you can obtain a copy of. Reporting the accident is crucial, as this gives concrete evidence of your accident.

Failing to report your accident can result in difficulty when it comes time to prove the cause of your accident. If no one witnessed the accident and you did not report it, you will have no proof of it. This may allow the other side to avoid paying your claims.

Collect Evidence and Relevant Documentation

The more evidence you can collect, the better. If possible, take photos or video of the scene of the accident. For example, if you slipped on a puddle of water and there was no wet floor sign, this is excellent evidence of the cause of your accident.

It is also essential to collect all documentation relevant to your case. Medical bills, correspondence, and proof of lost income all help your case.

After an accident, the property will likely try to clean up the accident scene as quickly as possible. If you take photos or video of the scene, this will preserve evidence of your accident. 

Do Not Talk to Insurance Companies in Detail

Insurance companies will assign adjusters to investigate the claim. Often these adjusters will contact you directly in hopes of getting a recorded statement. It is vital to avoid giving adjusters details.

Insurance companies always contact accident victims. Often victims will speak to adjusters and offer too many details, giving the insurance company a chance to use their statement against them. Insurance companies will use your statement to try to limit their liability. Do not speak to insurance companies on your own without an attorney.