If you’ve been injured in a slip and fall accident, it’s important to take action right away. Once you have gotten medical attention, you need to hire a personal injury lawyer Palatine Illinois. The attorneys at Carlson Bier Associates will give you sound legal advice while helping you pursue every available avenue toward compensation for your losses.
There are some important steps you should take to ensure you can file a legal claim. Getting as much information and documenting what happened surrounding the accident can help your attorneys understand the best course of action for you.
Take photos of the scene
If you’ve been injured in a slip and fall accident, it’s important to take pictures of the area where you fell. This can help your lawyer prove that there was negligence on behalf of whoever was responsible for maintaining that property or keeping it safe. Your attorney will also want pictures of any damage done to your clothes or shoes, as well as any other injuries sustained during the incident (e.g., bruises).
Take photos before you clean up any messes made by water or mud. If you’ve fallen down the stairs at work because of improper lighting, a slippery floor, or other hazard, make sure to photograph those areas. With the convenience of camera phones, people are able to document numerous things these days. OUr personal injury lawyer Palatine Illinois may be able to use relevant photos to show that negligence was the cause of your slip and fall accident.
Collect your medical records and bills
In order to file a claim for a slip and fall accident, you will need to collect some documentation. This includes medical records from any doctors or hospitals that treated you after the accident. It’s also important to gather any bills related to your injuries and recovery time. These can be used as evidence when your attorney is negotiating a settlement or if court is necessary.
Prepare a list of witnesses
You’ll also want to contact any witnesses who saw what happened. The more people who can back up your story, the better. If there are no witnesses and you were alone, ask any friends or family members who live nearby if they could come over and help with this part of the process. If possible, get their names and phone numbers before making a call so that you’re ready when it comes time for an interview.
Your medical records, bills, and witness testimony may be important when you file a lawsuit for your slip and fall accident. Your personal injury lawyer Palatine Illinois can use this to build their case and ensure you get just compensation.
File an official report with the police department
To file a claim, you must first file an official report with the police department that handled the incident. This helps establish liability and gives you some important information for your case. The police will help you get your medical records and bills, as well as copies of the accident report and witness statements.
Contact our personal injury lawyer Palatine Illinois
If you have been injured in a slip and fall accident, it is important to seek legal advice from an experienced personal injury attorney before deciding how to proceed. Typically, you have 2 years to file a claim, so it is essential that you are prompt with your response. A personal injury lawyer Palatine Illinois can help guide you through the process, which can take anywhere from two months up to two years depending on the complexity of your case.
Slip and fall accidents are common and can result in serious injuries. If you have been injured in a slip and fall accident, it is important to seek legal advice from an experienced personal injury attorney before deciding how to proceed. Contact Carlson Bier Associates today to pursue justice.