If you were injured in a slip and fall accident while on someone else’s property, you must know what steps to take to protect your health and slip and fall claim in Carlsbad. Here is what you should do to safeguard your rights:
Report the Slip and Fall Accident
Inform the property owner of the accident immediately. An official report of the accident can help establish the connection between the slip and fall and your injuries. Write down what happened, keeping your narrative brief and factual. Ask for a copy of the report.
Seek Medical Attention
Although you may not immediately begin experiencing symptoms of an injury, you should still get checked out. Seeking medical attention is critical to ensuring that your injuries are properly diagnosed and treated. Not all injuries present with obvious symptoms, but an experienced healthcare provider will know what to look for.
Seeking medical attention immediately after the accident can also help document the accident and its connection to your injuries. It also signals to the insurance company that you are taking your health seriously and deserve to be fairly compensated for your injuries. Documenting your injuries in this way will help later on when you need to prove who was responsible for the slip and fall.
Document the Scene
The best time to document what happened is at the time it happened. You may be able to take pictures or video that can help reveal the cause of your accident, such as a spill on the floor or a broken step. Your images may also indicate a lack of warning signs about the dangerous condition that contributed to your injuries.
If any witnesses observed the accident, ask for their names and contact information. Your Carlsbad accident lawyer can follow up with these witnesses later to get official statements to support your claim.
Write down the details of the accident as soon as you can. It’s best to preserve this information while it’s fresh in your mind. Include details about:
- What you were doing immediately before the accident
- Whether you noticed any particular danger and when
- The symptoms you began experiencing after the slip and fall
- How did you report the accident
- The names of employees you interacted with when reporting your injuries
Also, note whether you observed any surveillance cameras that may have recorded the incident. Your Carlsbad premises liability lawyer may be able to issue a subpoena to obtain this critical footage.
Keep All Accident-Related Records
After a personal injury incident in Carlsbad, you may start receiving many documents and other information relevant to your case. Keep all of this information organized and give it to your lawyer, including:
- A copy of the accident report
- Video or photos you took of the accident
- Your medical records
- Your medical bills
- Letters, emails, or claim forms from the insurance company
- Daily notes regarding your pain and other symptoms
Taking the steps above can help you preserve your right to compensation following a slip and fall on someone else’s property. An experienced Carlsbad spinal cord injury attorney can outline the next steps and procedures involved in the process of securing compensation for your losses. Your lawyer can explain what steps to take and not to take to protect your rights. Contact Miller & Steele online or call us at (760) 840-5221 to arrange a free consultation.