Personal Injury Attorney Explains What To Do After a Slip-and-Fall Accident in Fort Myers
Slip-and-fall accidents are common in Fort Myers. A shopper may slip on a piece of fruit at the grocery store, or someone may fall and hit their head on a neighbor’s porch. Regardless of how the incident happened, such accidents can leave victims with injuries that make it difficult to work.
If an accident victim wishes to seek compensation, they must proceed carefully. Engaging the expertise of a seasoned personal injury attorney in Fort Myers can be instrumental in navigating the complexities of the legal process and maximizing the chances of a fair settlement. Making the wrong moves could reduce the victim’s settlement or even lead to the insurance company denying the claim.
Report the Accident to the Property Owner or Manager
Immediately after a fall, many victims don’t think to report the accident, but doing so is critical to one’s claim. Without a report, there is no record of the accident. Insurance companies may say that the accident happened elsewhere and deny the claim.
Accident victims should file a report with the property owner or manager on duty and request a copy of the report for their records.
Speak to Witnesses
If the accident happened in a public place, the victim can likely find witnesses who saw the event. Victims should ask these witnesses for their statements and request their contact information. If they choose to hire an attorney, the lawyer may want to talk to witnesses later to help build the victim’s case.
Seek Medical Treatment
In a list of what to do after a slip-and-fall accident, seeing a doctor should be the priority.
Victims should see a doctor as soon as possible, even if their injuries seem minor. Often, it’s not possible to tell how injured one is, and victims could be much more hurt than they first assume.
The insurance company will request records of the victim’s treatment and medical bills. Without these, the insurer might deny the claim.
Determine What Caused the Accident
Slip-and-fall accidents can have many causes, including:
- Spilled food and beverages (very common in grocery stores and restaurants)
- Faulty handrails
- Defective stairs
- Loose carpeting
- A lack of warning signs
It is important to establish the cause of the accident with the help of one’s attorney. Otherwise, the property owner may try to pin the accident on the victim. They might say that the victim was running in store aisles or distracted, and the accident wouldn’t have happened if they’d been paying attention.
The victim’s attorney can thoroughly comb the accident scene for clues as to the incident’s cause. They can also request surveillance footage, if it exists, from the property owner.
It’s smart to hire an attorney as soon as possible because some property owners may attempt to erase or record this footage. An attorney can subpoena the footage to prevent them from doing this.
Avoid Accepting the First Settlement Offer
Many accident victims are pleased if the insurance company offers them any money at all. However, the first settlement may not be enough to cover all of the victim’s damages. Insurance companies commonly offer lowball settlements at first, and people accept them because they’re unaware that they can negotiate for more.
Before accepting a settlement, victims should consult with an attorney to determine whether the amount is fair. If the settlement is too low, the attorney can send a negotiation letter to the insurance company. Should that fail, the case may proceed to a court trial.
The Law Offices of Marc L. Shapiro, P.A. Helps Slip-and-Fall Victims Seek Compensation
Slip-and-fall accidents can leave victims with constant pain such as foot injuries and lifelong disabilities. Victims can seek a settlement for the accident, but the process of doing so can be complicated and confusing without the help of an attorney.
The Law Offices of Marc L. Shapiro, P.A. has more than 30 years of experience assisting slip-and-fall victims in Fort Myers. To learn more about what to do after a slip-and-fall accident, call (239) 500-5000 for a consultation.
