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Slip and fall accidents can happen unexpectedly, leading to serious injuries and substantial medical bills. If you slipped or tripped and were injured in the incident, building a strong injury claim is crucial to obtaining compensation for your injuries. Let’s take a look at the essential steps in collecting and presenting compelling slip and fall evidence to strengthen your case.

Document the Scene of the Accident

The first step in building a strong injury claim is to document the scene of your accident. Take clear photographs or videos of the area where you fell, paying attention to any hazards such as wet floors, uneven surfaces, or poor lighting.

You will want to capture the accident area from multiple angles to provide a comprehensive view of the conditions at the time of the incident. If you take videos, provide a brief narrative that includes the date and time of the accident, the location where it occurred, and any other vital details of the incident.

If you were taken to a hospital or urgent care facility following your accident, try to have a friend or family member document the scene of the accident for you.

Gather Witness Statements

Identify and collect statements from any witnesses who observed the slip and fall. Their accounts can serve as invaluable evidence in establishing the dangerous conditions that led to your accident.

At the very least, try to gather the contact information from any person who witnessed your accident. You can always contact a witness after you file an injury claim and ask the person for a written account of what he or she saw.

Complete an Incident Report

Immediately report your slip and fall accident to a relevant property owner, manager, or staff member. Your goal is to make sure that the party responsible for managing the property upon which you fell is aware that your accident happened and that you have injuries.

An incident report officially documents the details of your accident and provides proof that you fell. It can take the form of a fill in the blank type document offered by the owner of the property where you fell, or you can create a report by writing a summary of how your accident took place.

Even if your injuries appear minor or you’re not sure you want to pursue a claim, you should still complete a report post-accident.

Request Surveillance Footage

If your slip and fall occurred in a public place or a property with surveillance cameras, request the footage as soon as possible. Video evidence can provide a clear depiction of the incident, helping to establish liability.

If you are represented by a personal injury attorney, ask your lawyer to request surveillance footage on your behalf.

Maintain a Personal Injury Journal

Keep a detailed journal documenting your injuries, pain levels, medical treatments, and their impact on your daily life. This chronicle can serve as compelling evidence in conveying the extent of your suffering and its effects on your overall well-being.

Also use the journal to describe your accident in detail. Take note of such facts as:

• The location where you fell (for example, a sidewalk, parking lot, staircase, etc.),
• The weather conditions at the time of the fall,
• The clothes you were wearing at the time of the accident, including the type of shoes you were wearing,
• Any property that was damaged because of your fall (for example, a watch or handbag), and
• Any worn or areas of disrepair that could have contributed to your accident (for example, broken stairs, uneven surfaces in a sidewalk, etc.).

Seek Medical Attention

Promptly seek medical attention for your injuries, even if they seem minor at first. Also be sure to report all injuries, aches, pains, or problems to your doctor, no matter how minor they seem or if they have been resolved by the time of your doctor’s visit. It is important that these injuries and symptoms are recorded in your medical records.

Medical records serve as crucial evidence linking your injuries directly to the slip and fall incident. Follow all recommended treatments and attend all medical appointments to strengthen the causation link in your injury claim.

Questions?

Contact Nelson Injury Law for Help!

If you were injured in an accident, let us shoulder the burden of your case. Your focus should be on healing from your injuries. The skilled injury attorneys at Nelson Injury Law are here to help. Please contact us now for a free consultation.

Eric S. Nelson, owner of Nelson Injury Law, is an experienced trial attorney who will provide you with wise and compassionate legal counsel and representation through each stage of your case. Remember, you pay nothing if we do not win your case.