When you visit someone else’s property, you expect to be able to walk around safely. If the property owner fails to correct a known hazard, causing you to suffer injuries in a fall, you may be able to bring a personal injury claim. If you’re wondering what to do after a slip-and-fall accident in Indiana, we put together five important steps to take.
1. After a Slip-and-Fall Accident in Indiana, Seek Medical Care As Soon As Possible
Even if you are unsure whether you have serious injuries, you should visit a doctor for an exam. The National Floor Safety Institute (NFSI) reports that falls account for more than 21% of emergency room visits. You may have injuries that aren’t easy to see without a thorough medical exam, such as a concussion.
2. Report the Fall to the Property Owner
As soon as possible afterward, contact the property owner or the manager of the business and let them know what happened. You also should provide an accident report in writing within a few days. Keep a copy of your written notice.
Someone else can report the fall for you if you are busy seeking medical treatment.
3. Take Notes of What Happened and Who Was Present
One of the number-one things you should do after a slip-and-fall accident in Indiana is to take notes of what happened. While you are waiting for a doctor to examine your injuries, perhaps a friend or family member can take notes for you. List any witnesses to the accident, too.
Because there are so many different causes of slip-and-fall accident in Indiana, don’t just assume that the facts in your case will be obvious to the insurance company. Your notes taken soon after the accident can be valuable pieces of evidence in your case.
4. Speak With a Slip-and-Fall Attorney
If the property owner’s insurance company calls you after the accident, the representative probably will ask you a lot of questions. If you are taking pain medication, you could struggle to answer these questions accurately. The insurer might take advantage of your fatigue to try to trick you into slightly changing your story. They then use this change to try to deny your claim.
You do not have to speak to the insurer. When you hire personal injury lawyers, they take over all correspondence with the insurance company for you. They stand up for your rights when the insurer accuses you of lying about the severity of your injuries.
Your attorney will work tirelessly to seek compensation for you, including for your medical bills, lost wages, pain, suffering, and emotional distress.
5. Follow Your Doctor’s Plan for Care
Your doctor will diagnose your injuries and lay out a treatment plan. You need to follow the plan and attend all appointments for physical therapy or medical exams. If you skip appointments or go against your doctor’s treatment orders, the insurance company will argue that your injuries are not as severe as you are claiming.
Trust Tabor Law Firm To Help After a Slip and Fall
Slip-and-fall injuries can be life-altering for the victims and their families. The scene can be chaotic after this type of accident, and witnesses may struggle to describe what happened. When witness testimony is unclear, insurance adjusters often accuse victims of exaggerating how the accident happened.
An experienced attorney can stand up for your right to seek a personal injury claim after a slip-and-fall accident in Indiana. To learn more about what we can do for you, speak with the personal injury lawyers at Tabor Law Firm. Call us at (317) 236-9000 today. You can also contact us through our web form. We offer a free consultation.
