When Should I Consult a Lawyer for a Slip and Fall Injury?
One second, you were walking through a grocery store, taking a stroll outdoors, or maneuvering through a parking lot; the next, you slipped and fell on the floor. Slip and fall injuries can happen anywhere and can lead to life-altering injuries.
You may be able to pursue financial compensation if you were injured in a slip and fall on someone else’s property. Here’s more from a Naples, Florida slip and fall accident attorney.
What Are Slip and Fall Accidents?
Slip and fall accidents occur when someone else’s negligence or misconduct leads to you slipping and falling. While a fall might not seem like a big deal at first glance, slip-and-fall injuries can be as severe as traumatic brain injuries.
Injuries may require surgeries, physical therapy, and extensive medical treatment. It’s only natural to want compensation for the time and money you lose to your injuries.
After a slip and fall accident, seek immediate medical attention. This will serve as evidence for your claim. Taking pictures or videos of the scene of the accident can also be helpful. You’ll likely receive calls from insurance companies soon after your injury. Before you accept any offers, contact an attorney to file a slip and fall claim.
Reasons to Contact a Slip and Fall Accident Attorney as Soon as Possible
If you have a slip and fall injury case, contact a Naples slip and fall accident attorney immediately after the incident.
Collecting Evidence
Your lawyer will have access to evidence and know the appropriate evidence to collect for your case. They may interview witnesses, review medical and police records, and search for surveillance footage. It’s essential that they begin this process soon to give you time to build a case.
Experience
It’s likely you’ve never filed a personal injury claim before. An attorney will have the knowledge and experience to walk you through this process. With someone who knows how this system works on your side, your pursuit of compensation is more likely to be successful.
An Insurer Will Talk to You First
Insurance companies work fast, and so should you. After your accident, a property owner will contact their insurer. They will then call you, sometimes with a settlement. If you don’t have an attorney, you might not know you shouldn’t accept this first offer.
Having an attorney soon after your accident also allows you to direct the insurance adjuster to your lawyer to answer questions instead.
Avoid Running Out of Time
When the statute of limitations expires, you can no longer file a claim. In Florida, you have four years to file a claim for trips and falls, but that doesn’t mean you should wait until the last minute. Begin as soon as possible by hiring a lawyer immediately after your accident.
Proving Liability
Proving liability in a slip and fall case is no easy feat. A lawyer will help you determine whether the property owner failed to prevent dangerous conditions that led to your accident. To prove liability, they must provide evidence that the property owner 1) owed you a duty of care, 2) breached that duty, 3) that breach led to your injuries, and 4) you suffered damages from your injuries.
There’s No Time To Waste: Contact a Naples Slip and Fall Accident Attorney Right Away
When you are the victim of a slip and fall accident, you should contact an attorney as soon as possible. However, you don’t want to sacrifice quality. Here at The Law Offices of Marc L. Shapiro, P.A., our Naples slip and fall accident attorneys and personal injury attorney in Orlando value quality and efficiency.
Contact us today at 239-329-8577 for a consultation.