Now that we’re moving into the end of fall and the beginning of winter, we’ll be dealing with inclement weather again. With winter comes snow, sleet, and ice. When you go anywhere in the cold, brutal months, you risk the chance of slipping and falling down. Whether it’s a wet floor or an icy parking lot, grocery stores and department stores are likely places for a slip and fall. Atlanta personal injury lawyers get calls from a number of slip and fall victims this time of year.
No matter how careful you are, there’s always a chance you could fall and hurt yourself. Even if stores put up caution signs, you could still slip on a wet floor. The person before you may have had ice or snow on their boots. If some of it falls on the floor, it sets the scene for an innocent victim to fall and break their leg. If this happens to you or one of your kids, you need to call and talk to a skilled Atlanta personal injury lawyer right away. There are certain things you need to do immediately following your fall if you want to preserve your right to sue for damages.
Your Atlanta Personal Injury Lawyer Will Need Proof of the Fall
The first thing you need to do after your fall is to ask for medical treatment. The manager of the store needs to call an ambulance so you can get to the hospital. The next thing you need to do is ensure that an incident form is completed. This way, there’s no way the store manager or owner can deny that you actually fell. If there’s somebody with you at the time of the fall, ask them to take a video or picture of the place where you fell. This way, you have proof that you fell and, hopefully, you’ll have evidence that there was an unsafe condition on the premises.
Make Sure You Get the Medical Treatment You Need
Even if you don’t think your injuries are all that serious, you need to get medical treatment. Without medical records, you’ll have no way to prove that you were hurt. Your attorney is going to need these records. Otherwise, it’s a matter of your word against the defendant’s. Rather than risk them denying your claim, let your attorney fight to get you the money you deserve.
There’s a Good Chance Your Case Will Settle Long Before Trial
Very few slip and fall cases go to trial. In fact, more than 95% of all personal injury lawsuits are settled long before they reach the inside of a courtroom. Your attorney has a lot of experience dealing with insurance adjusters. They’ll work hard to resolve your claim out of court. This way, you can get your money faster. Your case will also cost a lot less money to prosecute if you don’t have to go to trial.
The insurance company understands that they’ll probably have to pay something. It may just be a matter of how much. For example, suppose you fall at the local grocery store and sprain your wrist and ankle. You’re out of work for 2 months. You sue the store for $50,000. They may think they can settle for a lot less than the full amount. Once your Atlanta personal injury lawyer starts negotiating a settlement, you will likely get less than the full $50,000. However, your attorney will make sure you get a fair amount. At a minimum, it will cover your medical bills and out-of-pocket expenses.
Schedule a Free Consultation with an Experienced Atlanta Personal Injury Lawyer
If you or your loved one suffer a slip and fall, you probably sustained some injuries. Maybe you broke your leg or sprained an ankle. You could even have sustained a traumatic brain injury if you hit your head in the wrong spot. After getting medical attention, you should get in touch with an experienced Atlanta personal injury lawyer. They can review your paperwork and medical records to see if you have a valid claim. If you do, they’ll help you file suit against the owner of the store. If their insurance refuses to pay, you’ll have no choice but to proceed with litigation.
You can call our office today and schedule your free, initial consultation. Sit down with an attorney who’s handled dozens of cases like yours before. They can even give you an idea of how strong your case is. The consultation is free, and you don’t have to pay anything until your case is settled.
