Slip and fall injuries can be physically and economically exhausting. If you slipped on a grimy store floor that had not been cleaned in quite some time or tripped over a bump on the sidewalk, injuries incurred from such an incident can result in medical expenses, lost income, and continued discomfort. If the accident was a result of someone else’s carelessness, you might be entitled to receive compensation. However, dealing with insurance companies can be challenging, as they often try to minimize payouts. To navigate this process successfully, consulting a slip and fall personal injury lawyer can significantly improve your chances of receiving fair compensation.
Key Steps To Take When Handling an insurance Company After a Slip and Fall Accident
1. Report the Accident Immediately
The first thing to do after a slip and fall accident is to report to the owner, manager, or any other responsible party of the property. If you got injured in a company, insist on a report of the accident and get a copy for yourself. If you had the misfortune on government property, report the incident to the concerned authorities.
Prompt reporting upholds your claim, and it is difficult for the insurer to assert that your injury was not serious or did not occur in the location.
2. Acquire Evidence at the Site
The insurer will mainly endeavor to undermine claims by asserting liability or minimizing injuries. Holding firm evidence right after the accident might halt these tricks.
- Take Photos and Videos: Capture a photo of the dangerous condition that led to your fall, i.e., water on the floor, uneven road, or no warning sign.
- Get Witness Statements: In case there were witnesses, request their contact details and a statement on what happened.
- Save Your Clothes and Shoes: Your fall resulted from unsuitable shoes, the insurance adjuster can say. Evidence of your clothes and shoes will negate such claims.
- Save Medical Records: Seek immediate medical treatment to record your injuries. Your medical records will be valuable evidence of the harm you incurred.
3. Do Not Be Rash When Speaking to Insurance Adjusters
Once you file a claim, the insurance adjuster will call you. Friendly as they are, their interest is to defend the interests of the insurance company by paying you as little as they can. What to do when they call:
- Do Not Admit Fault: Don’t ever admit fault by giving a statement like “I wasn’t paying attention where I was going” because it can be used against you. Give facts only without attributing fault. Don’t Give Recorded Statements: Adjusters will sometimes request a recorded statement to “get clarification on the details,” but recordings can be altered to have your words against you. You are not obliged by law to give one.
- Don’t Settle for the First Offer: Insurance companies lowball first offers expecting that victims will settle for less than what they are entitled to. Do not sign a settlement before you talk to a slip and fall personal injury attorney.
4. Know the Worth of Your Claim
Insurance companies may attempt to devalue your claim. In order to make sure that you get full compensation, keep the following factors in mind:
- Medical Expenses: Include both past and future medical expenses that have been incurred because of your injuries.
- Lost Earnings: In case the injury caused loss of working days, you ought to be compensated for lost earnings.
- Pain and Suffering: Non-economic damages like pain and suffering as well as loss of quality of life should be included in your claim.
- Long-Term Impact: If you are seriously injured and disabled forever or suffer from chronic pain, you can also be entitled to further compensation.
A lawyer will help you make an estimate of the actual damages you can claim and prevent the insurance company from making you an offer that is too low.
5. Consult a Slip and Fall Personal Injury Attorney
Even if you are capable of managing a slip and fall case yourself, an attorney is much more likely to win it. A slip and fall injury attorney can:
- Negotiate with the Insurance Company: Attorneys know the tactics of the insurance company and know how to effectively counteroffer a lowball offer.
- Gather and Present Evidence: They know the type of evidence that will ensure victory in your case and how best to present it.
- Manage Legal Deadlines: Each state has a statute of limitations in which to file injury claims. A lawyer makes sure you adhere to all legal deadlines.
- Refer Your Case to Court if Needed: If the insurance company will not settle in a reasonable way, a lawyer can refer the case to court.
Wrapping Up
Negotiating with an insurance firm after a slip and fall accident is daunting, but doing the right thing can mean the difference between your world and your claim success. Report your accident in a timely manner, document good evidence, be cautious when talking with adjusters, and know the worth of your claim overall. Most importantly, think about hiring a slip and fall personal injury attorney to represent your rights and get the settlement you deserve.
By following these steps, you’re in a position to handle the claims process effectively and get back a reasonable settlement for your injury.
