Slip and Fall Lawyer IN Austin

causes of slip and falls

Given how common slip and fall accidents are, they can happen in a large number of different ways. The Texas State Office of Risk Management put together a list of the more common risk factors; understanding some of the ways these accidents come about can be helpful. A slip and fall attorney near you can work with you to understand how the cause of your accident impacts your ability to recover compensation for your injuries.

Uneven Surfaces

Many falls reported by Texas agencies don’t occur from any significant height, such as from the top of a building. For example, many injuries have been reported from people stepping off of a curb or stepping into an animal hole. An accident victim might also trip over a cracked section of sidewalk that sticks out over another portion. Regardless of the small height differential that causes a fall, the consequences can be severe.

Stairs

Of the fatal falls that occur in the United States, nearly half occur on a staircase. In the home or in the office, climbing and descending stairs occurs many times each day. Wherever there is a staircase, it is important that there are proper safety measures in place to minimize the possibility of accidents. Stairs should be well-constructed, have proper lighting with an on/off switch at either end of the staircase, and have a sturdy handrail in place to help guide the user.

Ramps and Docks

Several lakes around Austin provide plenty of opportunities for enjoying recreation. Being near and even in water, docks and boat ramps can naturally become quite slippery. It is important for all lake visitors to exercise extreme caution when on the edge of the water; just as important, those in charge of the docks and ramps must ensure that the proper non-slip surfaces are used and that they are properly cleaned and maintained regularly.

slip and fall injuries

A lawyer in Austin can give you a better perspective on why your injuries are significant legally; for example, how different types and severities of injuries impact the legal process of seeking compensation. Aside from the financial repercussions, though, any injury from a slip and fall accident should be taken seriously for other reasons. Even if it seems relatively minor, seek medical attention to make sure that your injuries aren’t worse than they appear or that they don’t worsen over time. Some of the more commonly suffered injuries in slip and fall accidents include:

Head Injuries

Any time you hit your head, there is potential for serious injury. Head injuries can be particularly pernicious because the symptoms might be brushed off as something that is not as serious, such as slight dizziness or a headache. However, given the serious consequences that an untreated head injury can have on a victim, it is important that you seek medical attention as soon as possible after your slip and fall accident if you believe you may have injured your head.

Fractures

As mentioned previously, bone fractures occur in 5% of all falls. Fractures can not only be very painful, but there can also be a host of other complications that result, including blood clots, swelling, or a lack of mobility.

Rotator Cuff and Wrist Injuries

Many people will naturally extend their arms to break their fall. Unfortunately, this will often lead to different kinds of injuries in the wrists or shoulders.

what to do after a slip and fall accident

Immediately after your accident, it can be difficult to know what to do. This situation can be complicated by the fact that you may have people like insurance claims adjusters speaking with you soon after and asking probing questions or offering settlements that don’t seem quite right. Keep these few action steps in mind to complete after your accident happens.

1. Seek Medical Attention

Immediately after your accident, the most important thing that you can do for yourself is seek medical attention. This is true for a couple of different reasons. First, certain injuries might be much worse than they appear to you at the time. They may also become worse over time, which means that having your injuries checked out quickly is critical.

In addition, it will be important to establish that your injuries were caused by your slip and fall accident and not something else, which may be argued by other parties. Seeking medical attention soon after your accident helps to strengthen the link between the actual slip and fall and the injuries you sustained.

2. Report the Accident

Report the accident to whomever is responsible for the area in which the slip and fall occurred. If the accident took place at work, report it to employer. If it happened in a store or residence, let a manager or property owner know. Put this report in writing so that there is a record of the steps that you took after the accident.

3. Gather Information

At the early stages of a potential legal claim, it is far preferable to be overprepared than underprepared. This means that as you gather information, be as thorough as possible, and if you aren’t sure whether a piece of information will be important, gather it anyway. Some helpful things to make sure you have are copies of a police report if any was filed, photos of the accident site and any hazards that existed at the time of the accident—like water or broken flooring—and medical bills and health records.

4. Speak with a Lawyer in Austin

Consulting with an experienced Austin personal injury attorney is the best way to ensure that your case is adequately reviewed and that you aren’t taken advantage of by insurance companies or other parties who want to pay you as little as they are legally obligated to. When speaking with attorneys, make sure that they know how to handle Austin slip and fall accidents, that they have the resources to be able to aggressively pursue your claim, and that they aren’t so overburdened with clients that you become simply another number or paycheck to them.

Call zinda law group today at (800) 863-5312 for a 100% free consultation

You may have had to go to the hospital, suffered from a debilitating injury, or even lost your job because of your accident. To put it bluntly, slip and fall accidents can dramatically change lives for the worse. The Austin personal injury attorneys at Zinda Law Group will fight to make sure that these injuries do not go unfairly uncompensated. What’s more, we believe that accident victims shouldn’t be forced to worry about their ability to afford legal representation, which is why you won’t pay us anything unless we win your case for you—that’s our No Win, No Fee Guarantee.

Meetings with attorneys are available by appointment only.