Eight Questions You Need to Ask in a Slip and Fall Accident
From wet floors, ice-covered walkways, poor lighting, or missing railways, there are constant dangers that put us at risk for slips and falls. When you walk into a business, you expect that place to be properly maintained and cleaned for customer safety. However, that isn't always the case. In fact, slips and falls are among one of the top contributors to personal injuries. When you are in need of a personal injury attorney in Miami, FL to handle your case, you will want to come prepared. If you have been severely injured in a slip and fall accident, you will want to ask these important questions to understand more information about your accident and impending claim.
What conditions have contributed or caused your accident?
Consider the elements that have contributed to your accident. Did you fall on a patch of ice? Were the floors recently mopped? Was there a puddle of water on the floor? When you can identify the cause of your accident, you will be able to provide that information to your attorney so they can work to determine the liability. Identifying what caused your fall is one of the first steps toward recognizing whether someone else's neglect led to your accident.
How long was this condition there?
After you determine the cause of your fall, think about how long that hazard was present. Do you think that it was just there that day? Has it been there for months? Although you may not have access to this information, try to think of other times that you have been to that place and noticed the hazard. Typically, trips and falls are caused by accidents that occur as a result of a new hazard that is only there for a temporary time. However, it is still up to the property manager to ensure that these areas are kept safe to avoid accidents just like these.
Was the property manager or owner aware of this hazard?
Do you have any reason to believe that a property manager was purposefully neglecting that specific hazard? If so, you will want to talk to a personal injury attorney in Miami, FL to start drafting up you case. If the property manager failed to properly attend to any hazards, such as water, ice, or waxed floors, then they may be liable to pay for your medical bills, missed wages, and any other pain and suffering.
Were there any warnings or safety signs placed near or around the hazard?
If the property manager had placed signs around the hazard, you will want to know about that. These signs can indicate that the property manager was, in fact, not responsible for neglecting the hazard. In fact, when you see safety signs and ignore them, you will be at fault for any accident that occurred as a result. However, if you tripped and fell because of the lack of safety signs or clean-up of that particular hazard, the manager of the property will likely be found liable for neglecting proper care of the facility.
Was anybody with you when you fell?
Another important question that you need to ask is if anyone was with you when you fell. If you have a witness, they will be a credible source for your lawsuit, as they witnessed the entire accident. They can provide testimony to indicate further information and details about your accident. Even if you weren't with someone directly, you may still have witnesses that were nearby when you fell. Try to think about anyone who was around when your accident happened, and provide that information to your personal injury attorney in Miami, FL to help your case.
How often do you go to that particular place?
If you frequently go to the place where you tripped and fell, you will want to take this information to the lawyers. This can affect your case. If you have previous knowledge of the facility or business, you will typically have experience to draw from, which can help your case. However, if you have a history of issues with this particular establishment, this will also come out. This could negatively impact your case. Be transparent and honest about your history with the place where you had your slip and fall accident.
Did anyone assist you after you fell?
When you fell, did anyone come out to assist you? If employees, patrons, or other people came out to your safety, you will want to communicate this to your lawyer. These individuals can help piece together your story so that your lawyers can build your case. They will be able to indicate your condition, your mental state, and your physical injuries right after the trip and fall accident happened. They can also indicate whether they assisted you into your car or they called for emergency services, which can indicate the severity of your initial injury.
Did you fill out an accident report?
When you fall at a business, you may be instructed to fill out or sign an accident report. These documents can be helpful in the court of law, as they will be able to provide the lawyers with concrete information about the accident. This paperwork typically identifies the cause of the fall, the injuries sustained, and the reaction to the accident. It will also indicate what was done by the property manager as a result. Make sure to bring any of this documentation with you when you meet with your attorney so they can have a full picture of the incident.
These are just a few of the questions that you should ask when you are involved in a slip and fall accident. Whether you have tripped and broken bones or you have suffered from a spinal injury, the incident may have put you in the hospital or required many months of medical treatment. If you have suffered from an injury as a result of a slip and fall accident, trust our personal injury attorney in Miami, FL to handle your case. Contact us to schedule a consultation with our experienced attorneys today.