Indiana Slip and Fall Accident Claim Guide for Victims

Slip and fall accidents can come with some serious and prolonged or permanent bodily injuries. Those harmed in such accidents due to another’s careless should not be held responsible for their economic losses, like hospital bills and medical expenses.  They are also entitled, by law, to recover for their pain and suffering caused by the negligence of another. If you have just suffered serious injuries because of a slip, trip, or fall accident that was not your fault, it is important to talk to an Indiana personal injury lawyer right away. In the meantime, be sure to follow the recommended Indiana slip and fall accident claim guide for victims like yourself.

Continue reading to learn how to protect your legal rights after a slip and fall accident in Indiana, including which law firm to trust for skilled and compassionate representation.

Slip Fall Attorney Indianapolis Indiana 317-881-2700
Slip Fall Attorney Indianapolis Indiana 317-881-2700

WHAT TO DO AFTER A SLIP AND FALL ACCIDENT IN INDIANA

Report the Incident to the Property Authority

The first step to take after being injured in a slip, trip, and fall accident is to notify the owners or persons in charge. For commercial properties like retail stores, gyms, or restaurants, ask for the staff member who holds the most authority or highest ranking. Be sure to tell them you want a written report of the incident made and ask for a copy.

Report the accident. Be brief by simply stating where you fell, which obstruction caused the fall (torn carpet, poor lighting, uneven floorboard, wire or cordage, puddle of water, spilled drink etc.), and where you feel hurt.

For public grounds like parks, notify the town or city the same day, both via phone call and written notification. If the injury is too severe, notify the city or town as soon as your health allows. This is especially important for accidents that take place without any witnesses, which brings us to our next step.

Ask for Witness Information

The next step, depending on the severity of your injury, is to collect contact information from anyone who may have witnessed the accident and/or witnessed what caused you to fall.  If you cannot do so, hopefully a good Samaritan, police officer, friend, family member, etc… will be able to assist you with that.  Do not trust that the needed witness information is being obtained by the persons writing the report for the owner of the property.

Be sure to record their full names, phone numbers, and email addresses. If they are willing to give additional contact information, like a copy of their drivers’ license, date of birth or place of employment, take those as well. Keep in mind that witness testimony can play a huge part in obtaining a full and fair personal injury settlement or verdict.

Gather Evidence

Immediately take photos and video recordings of the scene of the accident, what caused you to fall and your injuries. Sometimes, injuries appear days, weeks and even months after a fall and doctors call this delayed onset. Do not assume that you are not hurt if you do not feel any pain immediately after slipping and falling. Gathering digital evidence may have to be obtained by a friend or family member depending on the severity of your injuries. If photos and videos cannot be taken at the moment of the accident, have them taken as soon as possible after your fall.  

These pictures should be taken at a few different angles, and should capture the hazardous environment or obstruction, the condition of the victim, the victim’s injury, and the condition of the injury in the days following the accident. All these photos and videos have to be done BEFORE any changes are made and evidence is lost (i.e. melting snow or ice, garbage spills, flooding, etc.) if at all possible. The more evidence you have to offer, the higher your chances of recovering fair compensation.  Sometimes, a property owner will fix a dangerous condition, but only after someone gets hurt, so it is important to obtain that evidence as soon as humanly possible.

Seek Medical Care

A person should seek medical treatment the same day, or as soon as they are experiencing pain or symptoms from the accident. As mentioned earlier, injuries do not always present themselves right away, especially with slip and fall accidents. Injuries can show up days, weeks and even months following an accident. This is very common among neck, spinal, back, knee, elbow and shoulder injuries.

Insurance companies for the property owners will argue that a claimant wasn’t seriously injured enough to receive compensation if they didn’t require and seek professional medical care. Medical treatment not only validates that a slip and fall victim is injured, the doctor’s diagnosis and victim’s medical records are evidence for a case.  Hopefully, with the appropriate care and treatment, you can get your life back to where it was before your fall as soon as possible, which is what any injured persons wants.

Hire a Skilled Indiana Personal Injury Law Firm Immediately

Before talking to any insurance companies, it is critical to hire a seasoned personal injury lawyer in Indiana. The process of speaking with insurance adjusters is delicate and complex. One seemingly harmless or innocent statement can be manipulated and used in an attempt to place fault on a victim in an attempt to evade or eliminate liability. It is vital to the outcome of your case to have a licensed slip and fall lawyer on your side, walking you through the process from start to finish.

Looking for a personal injury law firm that is fully qualified and equipped to meet your legal needs after a slip and fall accident? Contact the Law Office of Craven, Hoover, and Blazek P.C. at 317-881-2700 to schedule a no-risk, no-fee personal injury consultation with an experienced slip and fall attorney in Indianapolis, Indiana. Although our office is located in Indianapolis, we represent injured persons throughout the state of Indiana, as well as Hoosiers injured in other states.

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