Five Things to Do After You Slip and Fall in Colorado
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Slip and fall accidents are common occurrences and it is likely that you or a loved one may be the victim of one in your lifetime. If you are injured at a business or on private property, you may be entitled to receive compensation. When pursuing compensation, what you do immediately after the fall is crucial to the outcome of your claim.
You may be confused about your next steps after a slip and fall accident. An experienced Colorado slip and fall lawyer will be able to help you build a winning case; they can negotiate with the insurance company on your behalf to get the maximum amount of compensation you deserve.
If you or a loved one has been injured in a slip and fall accident in Colorado, call Zinda Law Group at (800) 863-5312 today for a free consultation with one of our slip and fall accident attorneys.
Five Things to do After You Slip and Fall in Colorado
What to do after slipping and falling can be confusing for many people, especially those who have never experienced that type of accident before. After a fall injury, there are actions you need to take to ensure you will have a chance at succeeding on your claim in the future. The following is a list of what you should do after a fall injury.
1. File an Accident Report
Wherever you fall, whether it be on someone’s property, in a store, or on the sidewalk, you should report the accident. An accident report will create a record of the incident. You should report the fall to the manager or property owner; be sure that their report is written and that you receive a copy.
In addition to a report, be sure to get the contact information of the property owner, store manager, or landlord. This is important to have in case you need to contact them later during the claims process and can sometimes be difficult to get ahold of after the accident.
2. Document the Scene
Document the accident scene by taking photos with your phone; take pictures of where you fell and the conditions of the ground, floor, or pavement. Get photos of the surrounding area, like the weather for example, if you suffer a fall outdoors. Try writing down what you were doing before the accident as soon as possible while the event is still fresh in your mind; the details you are able to record in your account of the accident and the photos can be used by your fall injury attorney later in your claims process.
3. Seek Medical Attention and Follow Care Instructions
Seek medical attention after a slip and fall incident if you have a serious injury; as a matter of face, even if you believe you are not injured or have a minor injury, you should be checked out by a doctor anyway. You should try to get treated as soon as possible, though you can go to the doctor at any time; this is because you may have a latent injury, such as a concussion, depending on the nature of your fall. Your doctor’s visit will help provide documentation of your injuries.
Follow the instructions your doctor gives you to take care of your injuries; this is wise not only because it may help you heal faster, but also because you have a duty to mitigate damages in your case. Taking your injury seriously and treating it accordingly will show that you are not trying to make your situation seem worse than it is. The documentation of your injuries received from your doctor, along with showing you have followed the instructions to care for your injury, will be useful for your fall injury lawyer, who will be working hard to ensure you will receive just compensation on your claim.
4. Get Contact Information from Witnesses
Ask to see if anyone witnessed your fall; if there are witnesses, get their contact information. Take their statements at the scene before leaving. Their statements will be useful later when you are going through the claims process.
5. Consider Hiring an Experienced Colorado Slip and Fall Lawyer
At Zinda Law Group we understand just how difficult dealing with a slip and fall accident can be. The legal system can be complex and hard to navigate; having a highly skilled attorney by your side is crucial to the success of your claim. Our slip and fall accident attorneys have extensive experience in dealing with these matters and can guide you through the process of collecting evidence and filing claims; they will use the evidence you gather as well as evidence from their own investigation to help you get the maximum compensation you deserve.
What Not to Do After a Slip and Fall Accident
In addition to the list of things you should do after a slip and fall accident in Colorado, there are a number of things you should avoid doing after the accident. Be sure to refrain from the following actions, as they could damage your case if you do not.
1. Do Not Sign Anything
Avoid signing anything before you have legal representation. Businesses and property owners will usually try to have you sign a release of liability form; once you sign the form, you are unlikely to succeed with a claim against the business or property owner. The person or business owner will try to avoid telling you exactly what you are signing after the accident, so it is best to avoid signing anything at all.
2. Do Not Post on Social Media
Avoid talking about the incident online. Whatever you post could be used against you during the claims process. This is especially true if the statements you make on social media conflict with any statements you have made in the past or will make in the future about the incident, and this can make the claims process very difficult.
3. Do Not Make Statements Regarding Fault
After the fall, do not make any verbal or written statements, especially not to the insurance company. Do not admit to any fault for the fall to the property owners, business managers, or landlords responsible for the area where you fell. These statements can be used against you in the claims process and a potential lawsuit.
Common Injuries from Slip and Fall Accidents
According to the CDC, one out of five falls causes serious injury, such as a head injury or broken bones. Over 800,000 patients a year nationwide are hospitalized due to fall injuries. Falls are the most common cause of traumatic brain injuries, and more than 95% of hip fractures are caused by falls.
Your injuries after a fall can range from minor to severe. It is possible you may even get a combination of injuries. Knowing the types of injuries that commonly occur from a fall can help you better recognize those injuries if you suffer from them after a fall. You can communicate this information to your doctor to get a better treatment plan.
The most common slip and fall injuries include:
- Ankle or wrist sprains
- Knee injuries
- Shoulder dislocation
- Broken and fractured bones
- Spine and nerve damage
- Traumatic brain injuries
Common Causes of Slip and Fall Accidents
When you think of slip and fall accidents, what comes to mind usually is a slip and fall accident that occurs in a store or other business; in truth, these types of accidents can take place at home or at another’s personal property and can occur indoors or outdoors. Knowing the common causes of slip and fall injuries can help you to know what to look out for and potentially avoid another slip and fall accident in the future. Common causes for slip and fall accidents include:
- Slick, icy, or snow-covered roads and walkways
- Damaged driveways, walkways, and sidewalks
- Damaged stairwells
- Wet floors and loose floorboards
- Uneven floors
- Dimly lit areas
Colorado’s Slip and Fall Laws
Slip and fall accidents in Colorado are governed by Colorado’s Premises Liability Act. Businesses and property owners, whether commercial or private, have a legal obligation to inspect their property and identify any unsafe conditions that they subsequently need to fix. They owe a duty of care to others to keep their premises safe for guests; if they breach that duty, the business or property owner may be liable for any injuries that occur if they are caused by unsafe conditions.
The Colorado Premises Liability Act makes business tenants and landowners who have sufficient control of the property liable for keeping safe conditions. Under the law, the duty of care owed to a guest on the property depends on the status of the person injured; there is a higher duty of care owed to someone invited onto the property in either a personal or business capacity. There is a lower duty of care to someone who is a trespasser on the person’s or business’ property.
How We Can Help
Zinda Law attorneys will fight for you every step of the way. If we do not win your case, you will not pay any fees. That is our No Win, No Fee Guarantee. To learn more about how our firm can help you, call Zinda Law Group today at (800) 863-5312 for a 100% free consultation with one of our Colorado slip and fall attorneys.
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