Picture this: you’re walking along and minding your own business, and then suddenly… boom! You’re on the ground. And while you may feel an intense rush of embarrassment, that’s not the worst part of it.
You may also be experiencing more severe injuries, like broken bones, spinal fractures, and even a concussion. In some cases, though, symptoms don’t appear immediately after the slip and fall; they can be delayed, and this is often because the body goes into a shock-like state because of the stress you experience.
No one means to slip and fall, but it happens, and while in many instances, it can be an accident, other times, such things can happen because of someone else’s negligence, and this is a scenario where you have the right to seek compensation.
What to do (and don’t do) right after the fall can have a lasting impact on your recovery process and any potential legal case, which is why it can be helpful to know in advance how to respond.
What to Do After a Slip and Fall Accident?
Seek Medical Help Immediately
You may feel “okay” after a slip and fall accident, but that doesn’t mean you should go about your day like nothing ever happened. Visiting a doctor or emergency room is important because a medical professional can get you diagnosed early and prevent long-term complications.
This is also important from a legal perspective, because it will help create an official medical record of your injuries and the medical treatment you received, and it will serve as critical evidence if you pursue a personal injury claim. Without medical records, insurers could say that your injuries were unrelated to the accident (or not severe enough) to warrant compensation.
Sometimes, injuries from a slip and fall accident can make it impossible to leave the scene, and if this is the case for you, call 911 right away.
If they are less urgent, make sure to go to an urgent care clinic as soon as possible after the incident and explain to the medical staff how the accident occurred and describe all the pain and discomfort you’re experiencing in your body, no matter how minor.
If Possible, Document the Scene
Conditions at the accident site can quickly change, so if you’re physically able, you should document the scene as early as possible, before a spill is mopped or an icy sidewalk gets salted. This is how you will preserve evidence for a future legal claim.
Take photos and videos from various angles of the hazard that causes your fall (loose rug, uneven pavement, or anything else), visibility issues in the area, the absence of warning signs, and any visible bruises, cuts, or other injuries.
If you aren’t able to take the photos yourself, ask a friend or a witness to help (by the way, when it comes to the latter, you should gather their names and contact information, because their statements can be invaluable in establishing what occurred).
Gather other forms of evidence as well. For example, don’t clean the shoes you wore when you slipped and fell, because they could show residue or wear matching the scene of the accident.
Report the Incident
If the accident occurred at an apartment complex, business, or any property with management, you should report it right away. Ask to fill out an incident report (property owners and managers are required to do this) and get a copy of your records.
If anyone tries to discourage you from not making this report, or they try to minimize what happened, don’t let them talk you out of filling out the paperwork. Include details that capture the scene, like if the surface was worn, slick, or uneven, if lighting made things difficult to see, etc.
Don’t speculate about causes, and don’t say things like “It was probably my fault” or “I wasn’t watching where I was going”. Such comments can shift blame away from those who were responsible for the accident.
Reach Out to a Legal Expert
After a slip and fall accident, you need to understand your legal options. There are many things to figure out from a legal perspective, such as what kind of claim applies to your accident case, the full value of your damage, and more.
Dealing with all of this on your own will be confusing, and besides, if there was a negligent party such as a property owner or an employer, they can deny that the hazard exists, or state they weren’t responsible. If you have a lawyer by your side, you won’t have to worry about any of these things, because they have the expertise to build a robust claim.
Plus, a lawyer will also help you avoid common mistakes that could hurt your case later. Your first conversation with them will generally involve what happened, how severe your injuries are, and if you have grounds for a claim.
Make sure to work with a legal expert you feel comfortable around, and that the two of you can communicate well, because this will influence the outcome of your case a lot.
Don’t Share Anything on Social Media
You may feel tempted to share about your slip and fall accident on social media, but don’t do it. Insurance companies monitor the accounts of people who file claims, and even something as simple as posting a photo from a family gathering in which you are smiling can be taken out of context. They can use it to argue that you aren’t really injured.
So, until your case is resolved, you should keep details off social media and talk about the accident only with your attorney.
Even if your profile is private, your family or friends may tag you in pictures or comment in ways that make it look like you’re doing well, which insurance investigators can see. This is why the best practice is to go silent throughout the duration of your case.
Also, if you posted something already, don’t delete it! This could be interpreted as destroying evidence, and you absolutely don’t want that. Tell your lawyer about it, and they will walk you through the next steps.
Last Words
If you go through such an accident, please don’t get stuck blaming yourself and paying medical bills for something that was caused entirely by someone else’s negligence.
You shouldn’t have to pay for anything related to the incident, and you deserve justice. Also, don’t go through this situation alone: seek the help of a lawyer, and if you feel like your emotions are all over the place, talk with your friends, and even with a therapist if you think it would help.
