What to Do After a Slip and Fall Accident?

A slip-and-fall accident should be followed by the appropriate actions to preserve your rights, including the pursuit of compensation in case of injuries. One question many people ask is what to do after a slip and fall accident, and the difference it may make to your case comes from these steps. The lawyers at Parnall Law take on personal injury cases across New Mexico, with the experience and professional advice needed to guide you through this difficult time.

How Common Are Slips and Falls?

Slip and fall cases represent one of the most common filed injury claims in the United States. According to the National Floor Safety Institute, over 8 million emergency room visits occur due to falls each year. They can happen anywhere from icy sidewalks and poorly lit stairwells to slippery grocery store aisles.

Added to these are the environmental factors: icy conditions in colder regions, or even just uneven pavement conditions typical in rural areas in New Mexico. Knowing how many such incidents occur really puts into light the need to understand what one’s legal rights and responsibilities are in the unfortunate occurrence of involvement in one.

For example, it is reported by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention that traumatic brain injury is caused in the entire nation due to falls. Such kind of data depicts how badly your life may be affected by a slip and fall case.

Steps to Take After a Slip and Fall Accident

It is important to take action right after a slip and fall accident, both for your health and possible future legal cases. The following steps are those you should take:

1. Seek Medical Attention Immediately

First and foremost, your health is paramount, and even with minor injuries, it always pays to get a doctor’s opinion, just in case there might be some complications not immediately evident. Injuries, such as fractures, sprains, or even brain injuries, may not be apparent and yet will worsen with time.

Prompt medical attention also formally records your injuries, which then acts as important evidence in a claim. Not having early documentation of the injury, according to HG.org’s legal articles, reduces your chances of recovery greatly.

2. Document the Scene

Thorough documentation of the scene of the accident is very important. With your phone or camera, take clear photos of the dangerous conditions: wet floor, cracked pavement, or icy steps. Take multiple shots to provide context for the surroundings and ensure the hazard is visible. Note the time, date, and location of the accident. Record the names and contact details of witnesses who may have seen you fall or may have seen the conditions that caused the fall. Their accounts can collaborate with your version to strengthen your claim.

3. Report the Incident

Immediately inform the property owner, manager, or supervisor about the accident. Ask for an incident report to be filled out and request a copy for your records. If they refuse to create a written report, document the refusal and make detailed notes about your conversation. Reporting the incident establishes an official record, which is critical in demonstrating that the property owner was notified of the hazard.

4. Avoid Making Statements

While it is natural to discuss the incident, be cautious regarding what is said. Avoid statements that may be perceived as an admission of liability, such as apologizing or speculating about the cause of the accident. Such statements may be misconstrued and perhaps used against you in subsequent litigation or negotiations with an insurance carrier. When discussing the incident with the property owner or others, limit your comments to factual accounts of what transpired.

5. Preserve Evidence

The most important thing for a good case is the preservation of evidence. Keep all the documents regarding medical bills, receipts of treatments, and letter correspondence with the property owner and his insurance company. If you have visible injuries, taking photographs at regular intervals helps to chart the progress of the injuries over time. Also, keep the shoes and clothes you had on when the accident occurred since they could be used as evidence about the prevailing conditions at the time of your fall on a slippery floor.

6. Consult a Slip and Fall Attorney

The safest protection for your rights and complicated cases is having a slip-and-fall attorney. An accomplished lawyer will review your claim, describe New Mexico’s relevant premises liability laws, and assist you through the entire legal process. Legal representation can enhance one’s likelihood of receiving reasonable compensation significantly, according to the resource from Free Legal Info. Additionally, a lawyer will help with negotiations with insurance companies, as well as take them to court if further steps are needed to seek justice regarding your compensation.

What a Slip and Fall Lawyer in New Mexico Can Do for You?

A competent slip-and-fall lawyer in New Mexico will be the most powerful ally to handle all the aspects of your case. The skillfulness of the professional promises that your rights will be preserved, and you will be assured of obtaining maximum compensation. They will help you with the following:

• Establish Liability: Your attorney will assess whether the property owner breached his duty to keep the environment safe or violated any of New Mexico’s premises liability statutes. These are laws that require property owners to take care of hazards within a reasonable amount of time.
• Negotiate with Insurance Companies: Dealing with insurance adjusters is overwhelming. Your lawyer will handle communications to ensure that you receive a fair settlement.
• Gather Evidence: Lawyers can acquire security footage, maintenance records, and expert testimony that may enhance your case.
• Calculate Injuries: A lawyer ensures that losses are considered, from medical costs to lost wages, even suffering. As the personal injury page on Lawsuits highlights, compensation is often a function of documentation of any damage.
• Provide Court Representation: Where there is no chance for negotiations, he will represent you in the courtroom and build a solid case for the compensation you should be awarded.

We are aware of all the complexities in a New Mexico slip-and-fall case and are determined to do our best to receive a decision in your favor.

Contact a Trusted Slip and Fall Lawyer in New Mexico Today

At Parnall Law, our slip-and-fall lawyers are committed to fighting for your rights. We invite you to call us today at (505) 268-6500 or to contact us for a free consultation. We’re here to help you every step of the way.