What Should I Do After My Slip and Fall Accident to Preserve Evidence?

slip and fall accident preserve evidence

Tripping accidents are unfortunately quite common, and they can occur anywhere, including inside hospitals, supermarkets, homes, and even when you’re walking on the road. These accidents can result in minor wounds, or they can cause very severe and life-altering injuries.

If you trip and get hurt on someone’s property because of the owner’s carelessness, you may be eligible for monetary compensation from them. However, to properly pursue financial recovery for your injuries, you need to do the following actions after the accident.

Report the incident to the property manager.

After tripping, you should report the incident to the property manager or owner. They must be aware of the situation. If you tripped on business premises, the manager would prepare an incident report. Make sure the report contains all the important accident details and obtain a copy of it. You don’t want anything to be left out. These details are important when you’re building your case.

Photograph the scene.

Gathering visual evidence is one of the most crucial pieces of evidence to prove negligence in a slip-and-fall claim, which the trusted legal professionals from Salamati Law Firm Personal Injury Lawyers can help you with. Capture many photographs of the accident scene, and of the dangerous conditions that made your trip.

If you leave the premises without taking photographs, the property owner may correct the dangerous condition immediately and erase the evidence. They could claim that you’re trying to cause a scene. If anyone else saw your accident or the hazardous condition on the premises, collect their contact information because they can provide statements later to strengthen your case.

Preserve evidence.

Take pictures of the clothes you were wearing when you tripped and fell. Do not discard those clothes. They are considered evidence. You should look for surveillance cameras nearby that may have captured your accident and request the owners for a copy of the footage. Write a detailed account of the incident including the events leading to the accident and whether there were warning signs or not. You should write all this information immediately.

Get treatment.

Get checked by medical personnel whether you believe you are injured or not because some wounds worsen over time. You don’t want to assume your injuries aren’t serious. Make sure your injuries are properly documented. Document your treatment, progress, other accident-related expenses, your pain levels, and your hospital appointments. You should record how your injuries and pain have changed your life.

Do not post on social media.

Do not share your incident on social media platforms because they may be used against you in the future. You must lie low as the case starts to be investigated. Don’t admit fault after the accident because it may hinder you from getting compensation. People at fault can you that against you in court. Do not provide formal statements before contacting an attorney because even innocent statements can be used against you in court.

Contact an attorney.

Contact a lawyer immediately after the accident. Don’t waste your time trying to figure out what to do next. The lawyer will guide you on the proper steps to take, gather evidence, investigate the accident, and negotiate the settlement amount on your behalf. They’ll deal with all the details while you’re trying to recover. It’s in your best interest to find a lawyer that is ready to fight for you.

Bottomline

After you have been involved in an accident, you can preserve evidence by getting a copy of the incident report and photographing the scene. You can also get the contact information of witnesses and keep a copy of the medical documents. You should refrain from posting about the accident on social media and contact a lawyer. These actions will ensure that you’re on track to creating a strong claim. You don’t want to miss any money that you are rightfully owed.

Nicole Middleton
Nicole calls herself a typical millennial girl and thrives on her share of social media, celebrity gossip, and all things viral content. She’s a big fan of pop music and plays the guitar as a hobby.