The slip and fall accidents occur at all times when you are not expecting exactly. You are in a grocery store, on a broken sidewalk or parking lot at night. Some might cause a few bruises, whereas others may cause severe injuries such as bone breaks and concussions or spinal injuries. Depending on where you have experienced the Johnson City slip and fall accident, proper knowledge of your actions upon suffering the mishap can conserve your health and legal rights. This includes hiring the appropriate Johnson City slip and fall injury lawyer.
1. Immediately Get Medical Assistance
Your life and health are something that should come first. Although you might think that you are all right in the early days, you might develop symptoms of severe injuries after several hours or days. Go to an emergency room, urgent care or doctor. An immediate medical assessment will not only support your recovery, but also they will establish a preserved medical record that will directly allow a correlation of your injuries on the fall, and this is critical in any criminal case seeking a legal claim.
2. Report Incident
That is immediately after the fall, alert the property owner, manager, or staff. Regardless of whether your case is a business, a personal property or a public property, an incident report in writing may be an important aspect of your case. Request a copy of the report where possible and be sure to also make a note of the person you spoke to and when.
3. Document Everything
Provided that you are physically not disabled, photograph the scene as it is prior to the change in conditions. Take pictures of the precise fallsite, the source of danger that triggered the incident (such as spill, ice, or rough territory) and apparent injuries. And, take pictures of the surrounding scene: the lighting, the warning signs (or general absence of the said signs), the surveillance cameras. Such images can be vital evidence in the future.
4. Gather Information of Witnesses
When a personal injury occurs and someone witnesses your fall, it is good to ask the interlocutor to provide you with his or her name and contacts. It will be of assistance in proving that you were indeed on the property, as witnesses can strengthen your version of the events, in the event that the owner of the property denies responsibility. A simple statement can translate into a significant difference even with little intent.
5. Do not Make Specific Statements or Post in the Internet
With regards to what you say right after the fall be careful of what you say to the store staff or to insurance representatives. It is not good to mention a fault or the supposed cause of the fall. Similarly, do not talk about the event in social media. This can be used to incriminate you in case you take a claim.
6. Save Every Records
Save copies of all accident paperwork: medical bills, prescriptions, police reports, e-mails with the insurance companies, and out-of-pocket expenses receipts (crutches costs, transportation costs, and so on). It is with these records that the damage might be computed in case you decide to pursue a personal injury claim.
Call a Slip and Fall Attorney in Johnson City
Alone, a slip and fall case may be too much to handle. Premises liability laws are sometimes complicated in Tennessee and the property owners tend to shirk responsibility. A professional Johnson City slip and fall lawyer will assist you in investigating the scene, collecting necessary pieces of evidence, and bargaining with insurance companies. The faster you call a lawyer, the higher are your possibilities to make a good case.
Suffering due to slip and fall may result in chronic pain and even financial strain. The right steps to take right after your fall may safeguard your rights and lead to equivalent compensation. With injuries, there can be no waiting; you need medical support and have to seek the direction of a reputable injury attorney in Johnson City today.
