What Not To Do After A Slip And Fall
Michael Babboni
Premises Liability
Getting in a slip and fall accident may not be on your mind when buying groceries, shopping around, or visiting an establishment. However, it can happen to anyone.According to the National Safety Council, more than eight million non-fatal injuries due to falls were reported in 2019. That is around 32% of all non-fatal injuries recorded. In the same year, there were 39,443 deaths because of falls.
What Not To Do
Slipping and falling can be embarrassing. At the same time, it can be painful. When it happens, one may end up feeling confused. Many victims make wrong choices following the accident.
If you are injured in a slip and fall accident that happened in a commercial business or another person’s property, you need to know what actions to avoid. This way, you prevent unfair compensation.
• Not Getting Medical Treatment
Slip and fall accidents may lead to more than just soreness and bruises. You may incur injuries. So, it is important to seek medical treatment immediately. You should also follow through on your doctor’s orders. Take the medications necessary.
Never ignore your injuries, even if you think they are minor. Additionally, going to a doctor will not only ensure proper treatment. It will also provide you with documentation and records that can be proof of the injuries and damages you got from the accident.
• Negotiating with the Property Owner or Insurance Company
While it is important to inform the property owner or manager about the accident, you should not start negotiation on your own. Some people may think that the best way to handle this type of accident is to discuss the case with the property owner or the insurance company. But that is far from the truth.
There are instances when insurance adjusters take advantage of a victim’s lack of knowledge or experience when it comes to the legal aspect of a claim and lowball settlement offers. If an insurance company asks you to sign a release, do not do it without consulting a slip and fall lawyer. That is because signing the release means you give up your rights to further compensation.
• Sharing It Online
Be careful of what you post on social media. As much as possible, do not post any pictures or videos related to the accident and your injuries. Ask your friends and relatives to refrain from sharing anything about your case.
Social media posts can be used as evidence against you. Insurance adjusters may also view your social media accounts to check for evidence contradicting the injuries you are claiming to be suffering from. Consider setting your accounts on private.
What to Do
Being careful not to make mistakes is only one of the things you need to do. There are other steps you need to take. Perhaps one of the most important is to consult a slip and fall lawyer.
Why is that?
Well, an attorney can help you in determining fault. They can assess your case and figure out how much you should get from the party at fault. They can also provide you with the best advice to get fair compensation for the injuries and damages you incur due to the accident.
Choosing an experienced law firm can give you support if you need to take a case to trial. It has the resources to represent you if necessary.
If you or a loved one has been injured due to a slip and fall accident in someone else’s property in St. Petersburg, contact The St. Pete Lawyer.