Slip and fall accidents can cause serious injuries. From concussions to soft tissue damage, injuries in all parts of the body are common, and many injuries lead to expensive medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, and other financial and non-financial losses.
With this in mind, what should you do if you’ve been injured in a slip and fall accident in Alabama?
Steps to Take After Being Injured in a Slip and Fall Accident
To protect your legal rights after a slip and fall accident, there are several steps you should try to take promptly. For example, as soon as possible, you should:
1. Seek Treatment for Your Injuries
Seeking treatment is one of the most important steps you can take to protect your legal rights after a slip and fall accident. Of course, it is important for your health as well. Not only does seeing a doctor promptly allow you to get the treatment you need, but it also assists with documenting the timing, cause, and severity of your injuries.
2. Make Sure You Understand Your Ongoing Treatment Needs
When you see a doctor for treatment, you should also make sure you understand your ongoing treatment needs. Do you need to schedule a follow-up appointment to get your test results? Do you need to schedule surgery? Are you supposed to rest or start physical therapy? If you don’t know the answers to these types of questions, you should follow up with your doctor’s office so that you can do what is necessary to recover.
3. Take Detailed Notes About Your Slip and Fall Accident
The more details you can write down about your slip and fall accident, the better. It is a good idea to take notes promptly, as the details can quickly start to fade in your mind. From the weather and lighting conditions to whether anyone witnessed the accident, write down everything you can remember.
4. Be Sure to Keep Any Photos You Took at the Scene of the Accident
If you took any photos (or videos) at the scene of the accident, be sure to keep these on your phone. Don’t delete any of them, even if they appear to be duplicates. When you have a personal injury claim, a picture can truly be worth a thousand words. Your lawyer will carefully examine all of your photos to determine the best approach to your claim.
5. Contact Your Employer if You Need to Miss Work
If you will miss work as a result of your injuries, it is a good idea to go ahead and contact your employer. Among other things, this will show the business’s or property owner’s insurance company that you are taking your injuries seriously. With many types of traumatic injuries, rest is an important part of the recovery process; and, if you return to work too soon, the insurance company may try to blame you for your own medical expenses.
6. Learn About the Mistakes You Need to Avoid
When you have a personal injury claim for a slip and fall accident, there are lots of mistakes you need to avoid. Knowing what not to do is just as important as knowing what to do when it comes to protecting your legal rights. For example, if you think you may be entitled to financial compensation, you should not do any of the following:
- Ignore your doctor’s medical advice
- Post about your slip and fall accident on social media
- Let the business or property owner (or its insurance company) tell you what to do
- Assume that your injuries are your fault
- Try to handle your situation on your own
7. Talk to a Slip and Fall Accident Lawyer
Rather than trying to handle your situation on your own, you should hire a slip and fall accident lawyer to help you. Your lawyer can provide a thorough assessment of your legal rights, calculate the long-term costs of your injuries, and deal with the business’s or property owner’s insurance company on your behalf. If a settlement offer is on the table, your lawyer can help you decide whether to accept; and, if you don’t receive a fair offer, your lawyer can take your claim to court.
Talk to a Slip and Fall Accident Lawyer for FREE
Were you injured in a slip and fall accident in Alabama? If so, we encourage you to contact us right away. Our slip and fall injury attorneys will evaluate your case at no cost to you and provide the legal guidance and representation you need.
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Contact Morris, Andrews, Talmadge & Driggers, LLC today online or at 844-654-6228 to schedule a FREE case evaluation. We serve clients throughout southern Alabama and the Tri-State Area, including Dothan and Mobile.
