Understanding The Accident Injury Claim Process

Whether you are at a grocery store, convenience store, or a restaurant, it is natural to expect that you can safely walk through the business. Slipping and falling in a place of business due to negligence on the part of the company can cause serious injuries, and if you are in this situation you will likely be entitled to a financial settlement from the company's insurance company. If you experience a slip and fall while in a place of business, avoid these common mistakes:

Leaving Without Notifying the Manager on Duty

Some people feel embarrassed after slipping and falling in public, and their first instinct may be to immediately leave the place of business. However, doing so is a major mistake. After a slip and fall, always notify the manager on duty and request that an incidence report be filled out. This will ensure that the details of the accident are properly recorded and the company has documentation of a slip and fall on the premises. Always make sure that you also ask for a copy of the report to take with you.

Failure to Document the Scene of the Accident

Many things can cause a person to slip and fall, such as spills that are not promptly cleaned up, wet floors that do not have a warning sign, or damaged flooring that is a safety hazard. Don't leave a place of business without documenting the area where you fell. Ideally, use your cell phone to take as many pictures as possible. These photos can serve as evidence when it is time to negotiate with the company's insurance company.

Neglecting to Seek Medical Care

Slip and fall accidents can cause a variety of injuries that need medical treatment in order to heal properly. Even if you do not feel severely injured, it is still essential to see a doctor. It is not uncommon for a victim of a slip and fall accident to feel soreness in his or her neck, back, or pelvis hours later or even the next day. Prompt medical care is key to a swift recovery. In addition, you medical records may be used during the settlement process.

Not Hiring a Lawyer

One of the biggest mistakes victims of slip and fall accidents make is not hiring a lawyer. It is always in your best interest to hire a lawyer to represent you. An experienced personal injury lawyer will know how to build a case proving that negligence of behalf of the company resulted in your fall and will also ensure that you don't accept a low settlement from the insurance company.