As the weather becomes colder in Kansas and Missouri, more people will suffer injuries from winter slips and fall accidents. Commercial and residential property owners often see an increase in slips, falls, and trips the weather turns icy and snowy. Typically, victims of winter slip and fall accidents suffer injuries on sidewalks, stairs, driveways, and other slick surfaces. Winter slip and fall accidents can cause life-changing and devastating injuries, including head injuries, paralysis, back injuries, traumatic brain injuries, paralysis, and in some cases, death. If you have suffered a slip and fall injury, you are likely wondering what you should do next. We have listed a few important steps below that can help you preserve your right to recover compensation for your losses.
Report the Slip and Fall Accident
If you can do so, report your slip and fall accident to the property owner or a representative of the owner as soon as possible. If the owner is not available, you can report the incident to a manager. You may want to document your report in some way, either by sending a letter or filming the conversation on your phone. The defendant may try to deny that you slipped and fell, or that you reported the slip and fall immediately after it happened.
Collect Information
Look around at the accident site and see if any bystanders saw you slip and fall. Gather their names and phone numbers because their testimony could be incredibly important in your liability claim.
Take Photos
If you can take photos, do so. Be sure to include the slippery surface on which you fell and the surrounding area. It is also wise to take photos of the injuries caused by your slip and fall accident. Try to get some photos of the scene of the accident up close and some from far away.
Receive a Thorough Medical Examination
Receiving a thorough medical examination from your doctor is incredibly important to a potential legal claim. You will need to document your injuries as soon as possible. As you recover from your injuries, report any additional symptoms and signs to your doctor as you notice them. In many cases, you will not feel the full impact of your injuries until a few days, or even a week after your fall, especially when it comes to soft tissue damage.
Take Detailed Notes
Keep all of the evidence of your injury organized, and take notes about what you noticed at the accident scene, what people said after the fall, and any financial losses you have experienced. It is easy to forget all of the accident’s important details and the traumatic aftermath of a slip and fall.
Contact an Experienced Slip and Fall Lawyer
One of the most important things you can do after a slip and fall accident is to speak with an experienced personal injury lawyer. At Griggs Injury Law, we have helped many Kansas and Missouri clients obtain the compensation they deserve after severe slip and fall accidents. Contact us today to schedule your initial consultation.
