Every time you leave your home, there is a good chance you will get into an accident. This is not a threatening statement to lock you inside! But it does show how the negligence of some people can cause unsuspecting, innocent people like you to suffer. Imagine taking your daily morning walk and tripping on the garden hose as you cross your neighbor's driveway, which you have always complained about as a slip hazard.
You will likely go home and call an ambulance or ask someone to take you to the hospital and forget your rights as a victim. Under the law, you are entitled to compensation for any physical damage you may suffer as well as any financial loss you suffer as a result. Read on to learn the 6 critical steps you should take after falling on someone else's property.
Dont move!
This is not the time to downplay your pain or stand up to save face. The first thing to do if you fall on someone's property is not to try to move. Slip and fall injuries are usually more serious than they look. What you think is a mild headache as a result of hitting your head in your fall can actually be a concussion that requires immediate attention. Your health should always be a top priority. Everything else comes after you take care of your wellbeing. After the fall, stay still, breathe, and ask everyone to call an ambulance if you can't do it yourself.
Gather Evidence
You may feel disoriented and out of whack right after your fall. However, once you have recovered, you should take notes and current photos of the scene of the accident. Especially if you fall in a random location outside of your home, evidence gathering is helpful when creating your case. Take out your cell phone and take photos of the loose tiles you stumbled on or other signs of negligence on the part of the owner. This will greatly strengthen your case and increase your chances of finding the solution you deserve to help make up for your suffering. If your pain becomes too severe, ask someone to help you with the photos again.
Contact your lawyer
You need an experienced personal injury attorney to represent you in front of insurance companies as well as in court if your case ends there. If you live in a large state like Florida, finding a good injury attorney can be a daunting process due to the overwhelming number of options available. However, Tampa Bay attorneys at Zervos Injury Law believe that everything is a numbers game. Of course, you should find an attorney who you are comfortable with and who you can easily trust. More importantly, however, is its proven track record in similar cases. An experienced lawyer knows exactly what to do if you seek advice from the scene of the accident. So follow their directions and do what they ask.
Submit an incident report
This is how you make your case legitimate in the eyes of the law. Your lawyer will advise you to fill out an incident report detailing how your accident occurred. Be as specific as you can and try to remember the time and exact location of your fall. You should also try to describe the eyewitnesses who were present at the scene of the accident. If possible, try to get the contact information before leaving the scene. It is important to note that this step should be taken as soon as possible after your fall to ensure that the incident report is accurate enough.
Don't make any statements
It is one thing to file an incident report describing what happened, but it is another thing to make statements condemning or releasing the owner of all responsibility. You shouldn't make any statements about your incident unless recommended by your personal injury attorney. This applies to your social media accounts and any other medium where your testimony may be taken out of context as you may lose your right to compensation.
Be patient
Personal injury can sometimes drag on for a long time, so you need to be patient. Don't force your attorney to be satisfied with the first offer just because you want to leave the incident behind and get on with your life. Patience is key here and the only way to get what you deserve. The physical injuries you suffer after falling on someone's property are not the only “harm” for which you should be compensated. The negligent behavior of the owner can cost you your job and potential future income if you have a permanent disability. In addition, the consequences of such incidents on your mental and emotional health should not be overlooked. Follow the steps above to protect yourself and your loved ones from the reckless and negligent acts of others.
