Slip and Fall injuries: What you Should look out for after you walk away from an accident

Slip and fall injuries are among the most common types of personal injuries, with more than a million people visiting the emergency room because of a slip and fall accident. In many instances, these situations can be minor and non-injury related events. However, for many other people, these situations can cause permanent injuries. These injuries can be very expensive, especially if your slip and fall claim is denied by an insurance provider and you have to front the cost of your medical bills on your own without assistance or resources. It’s estimated that the average cost of a hospital visit for slip and fall injuries ranges from $30,000 - $40,000.

When you slip and fall on someone else’s property as a result of their negligence, you could be entitled to compensation. However, despite how common these accidents are, suffering slip and fall injuries on another person’s property is no guarantee of compensation – an injury attorney still needs to prove liability in the case and these situations can involve complex legal theories and arguments about the fault of a homeowner or business.

Should you experience a slip-and-fall accident, we have your back. As Colorado personal injury lawyers, we know what it takes to get our clients a fair settlement that covers their medical expenses and other damages. But before you contact us, there are a few things you can do to reduce the chances a slip and fall claim is denied by your insurance provider and improve your chances of getting reasonable compensation. Here’s what to do after you’ve slipped and fallen down in a parking lot, store, business or home.

Seek medical attention

Getting medical treatment immediately after your accident isn’t just important for treating whatever slip and fall injuries you’ve suffered, but every single day you wait could reduce the value of your case. If you wait to get medical attention, insurance companies and defendants will use it to argue that your injuries may not be as serious as you claim. It’s also important to seek medical attention because the medical records and bills you’ll receive will serve as proof that the injuries you suffered did, in fact, happen as a result of the fall.

Take pictures of the scene that caused you to fall

It can be very jarring when you’ve slipped and fallen down, but you need to remember to take photos of the scene. When it comes to photos, there’s no such thing as too many. Take some close-ups and some wide angles, and snap pictures from different directions and other angles. If you are with others, ask them to take photos of the scene as well. The more photos you have, and the more detailed the photos are, the better we can evaluate the situation and the better of a case you have when presenting it to the defendant and insurance companies.

Report it to the property owner

After taking pictures of the scene, report your slip and fall to the property owner. If they aren’t there or can’t be reached easily, alert the person with the highest position in charge, generally a manager, of the property before you leave. If you fail to do so, insurance providers and defendants can use this against you. The property owner should draft up an accident report, and you’ll want to get the report from them.

Gather statements from eyewitnesses

If others were present when you suffered your slip and fall injuries, do what you can to get the names, addresses, and phone numbers of anyone who witnessed your fall. This helps your case because there are more people who can attest to the conditions that caused the fall and how you reacted, corroborating your story.

Limit communication with the property owner and insurance companies after it has been reported

Property owners can try and shift the blame off of them for the slip and fall injuries you experienced, altering the details of the situation so it doesn’t look like they were at fault. If you get into detailed discussions with them about how you slipped and fell down and the conditions that caused the fall, they can try and manipulate your words and use what you said against you in court.

Learn more about what to do after a slip and fall accident.

Contact Whalen Injury Lawyers

Have you suffered slip and fall injuries recently? Don’t wait to take action – contact Whalen Injury Lawyers today so we can get started fighting for you and the compensation you deserve!