Most people know what to do after a car accident. You call the police, seek medical treatment and call a car accident attorney. At least, that’s what you should do. But, what do you do when you suffer a slip and fall accident? How do you preserve your claim in case you need to file suit later on?
These aren’t the kinds of things they teach you in school. Most of us will make it through our entire lives without ever having to deal with something like this. For the unfortunate few, suffering a slip and fall accident will be inevitable. And when that happens, it’s important that you know exactly what to do.
If you don’t follow these steps, you risk losing your right to damages. Because these types of accidents come out of nowhere, it can be hard to document them. We don’t carry around notepads and forms to document accidents like this. Thankfully, however, most of us do carry around cell phones.
If you get injured in a slip and fall, you need to call a personal injury lawyer in Greenville, South Carolina. They’ll do what they can to make sure you get compensation for your injuries. Just make sure you follow these steps as best you can. The last thing you want to do is make your lawyer’s job any harder than it has to be.
What Qualifies as a Slip and Fall Accident?
Any time you fall on someone else’s property, you may have a claim for damages. People hear the term “slip and fall” and think it always involves wet floors. This isn’t the case. There are all sorts of ways you can find yourself in a slip and fall.
Some of the common causes of slip and fall accidents include:
- You fall on a step that is loose
- You trip on loose carpeting
- You fall on a wet or dirty floor
- You fall because a company or property owner didn’t shovel the snow on their property and apply salt
- You fall in a parking lot that isn’t properly maintained
As you can see, there are all sorts of ways you can experience a slip and fall. If this happens to you, it’s important that you contact an experienced personal injury lawyer in Greenville.
What Kinds of Damages Will Your Greenville Injury Lawyer Demand?
The damages your attorney will demand depends on the facts of your case. If you fall but aren’t injured, odds are, you won’t have a valid claim for damages. However, if you do get hurt, you may be able to demand compensation from the property owner.
If your injuries are serious, you may need surgery and physical therapy. You may be out of work for weeks or even months. You may not be able to return to work at all. You may end up disability for the rest of your life.
You may also experience a lot of physical pain and mental anguish. If this is the case, you may be entitled to something called pain and suffering. When your Greenville personal injury lawyer first meets with you, they’ll try to ascertain the types of damages to include in your lawsuit.
Some of these damages may include:
- Medical bills and future medical bills
- Lost wages
- Lost future earnings
- Property damage
- Permanent disability
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
Of course, not every case will involve all of these types of damages. Every case is different. Basically, the more serious your injuries, the higher your damages. And your attorney will fight to get you as much money as possible.
How Can a Personal Injury Lawyer in Greenville Help?
Your personal injury lawyer will make sure you handle your claim properly from the start. Some of the things you need to do are:
- Document your accident – Fill out an incident form if it happens at a business. If it happens at someone’s home, write down exactly what happened. Include the names and contact information of any witnesses
- Take pictures of the scene
- Take pictures of your injuries
- Go to the hospital so your lawyer will have medical records to prove your injuries
- Save all documentation and receipts
If you follow all of these steps, you’ll make it easier for your attorney to get you the damages you deserve. Call Brumback & Langley today and schedule your free initial consultation.
