Slip and fall accident injuries can be severe, and the recovery process can be lengthy. It’s critical to be aware of potential mistakes that can significantly impact your ability to recover compensation if you’ve suffered injuries due to someone else’s negligence.
A Philadelphia Slip and Fall Lawyer can help you understand how compensation in slip and fall cases works and pave the way for you to receive the medical care and attention you urgently need. After a slip-and-fall accident, you must avoid the following mistakes:
Not Seeking Medical Attention After Your Slip and Fall Accident
It is very difficult to obtain compensation in a slip-and-fall accident in Philadelphia unless you have sought medical attention and have the proper documentation to prove and support your damages. Even if you believe that your injuries are not severe, a visit to your physician is essential to receive an accurate diagnosis. A successful treatment plan begins with an accurate diagnosis.
One of the first things insurance companies will try to determine is whether or not you sought immediate medical treatment after your slip-and-fall accident. It’s imperative that you carefully adhere to your medical treatment program in the weeks and months following the accident. Delaying prescribed treatment after an accident can have severe implications for your health and personal injury claim.
Failure To Gather Evidence
It is crucial to collect evidence to help prove your fall’s cause. Take photos of the area, including any hazards and your injuries. Collect the contact information of any witnesses to the incident.
Key evidence you can collect after a slip-and-fall accident includes:
- Photographs of the accident scene
- Witness testimonies
- Surveillance or CCTV footage
- Incident Reports
It is essential to file an incident report with the property manager or owner and obtain a copy for your records.
Accepting An Early Settlement
Insurance companies may offer quick settlements, possibly even lower than average slip-and-fall settlement amounts. Accepting an offer releases an at-fault party of liability. It is vital to have your personal injury lawyer assess your overall damages before settling with the insurance company. Your lawyer will have a qualified medical professional assess the full extent of your injuries.
Giving Statements To Insurers And Posting Details Of The Accident On Social Media
Insurance companies seek recorded statements right after an accident. When victims are still in shock or under stress, they might unintentionally say something that insurers could use against them. Insurance adjusters undergo extensive training to compel slip-and-fall victims to acknowledge responsibility or minimize the severity of their injuries.
While your slip-and-fall claim or lawsuit is pending, avoid posting anything that has to do with your accident. Accident victims should avoid activities that contradict the severity of their injuries.
Contact A Philadelphia Slip-and-fall Accident Lawyer
An experienced slip-and-fall accident lawyer will obtain comprehensive documentation from medical sources, laying the groundwork to prove your injuries and their worth. While you must act quickly to document the accident and your injuries, you shouldn’t let the insurance company rush you into a settlement. In Pennsylvania, you have two years from the moment you become aware of your injury and damages, or the date you reasonably should have become aware, to file your personal injury claim.
If you or a loved one have sustained injuries in a slip-and-fall accident due to a careless property owner or anyone else in Philadelphia, a slip-and-fall injury lawyer at The Law Offices Of Samuel Fishman can help you compile evidence of the accident and prove fault.
Contact our Philadelphia personal injury law firm today to schedule your free consultation.