Getting hurt in an unexpected slipping or tripping accident can be a deeply unsettling experience under the best of circumstances, and a potentially life-altering one under others. Either way, it will be important for you to enforce your right to civil recovery quickly after being hurt in this way through a property owner’s negligence, since there are strict time limits set by state law for how long you have to sue.
However, there are also some important steps you should be taking prior to starting the litigation process, which will significantly increase your chances of obtaining a positive case result. Here is a brief guide discussing what to do after a slip and fall accident in Phoenix, AZ if you want to give yourself a fair shot at getting paid fairly for your damages, as recommended by the slip and fall attorneys at Phillips Law Group.
Going to your primary care physician, an urgent care clinic, or a hospital emergency room should be the first step anyone takes after getting hurt through a slip and fall in Phoenix, AZ. Even if everything seems fine at first, getting checked out can help determine whether any injuries have occurred that have not yet produced obvious symptoms, as well as ensure all injuries stemming from the incident are appropriately treated to minimize long-term harm.
Another important thing to do as soon as possible after getting hurt in a slip and fall is reporting the accident in writing to the owner(s) and/or manager(s) of the property where the accident occurred. This report should include all relevant details about how, where, and why the accident happened to the best of the injured party’s understanding, and both the landowner(s) and the injured party should keep paper copies of the report.
If possible, taking photos of the accident scene and getting contact information from eyewitnesses to a slip and fall can produce invaluable information for a personal injury attorney to use later on. Along similar lines, something virtually every slip and fall lawyer will recommend that injured people do after slip and fall incidents in Phoenix, AZ is to preserve the clothing and shoes they were wearing at the time of their accident.
Once their medical condition is stable, any slip and fall victim who intends to sue over their injuries later on should obtain a copy of their medical records and treatment history from the physician(s) who cared for their injuries. Likewise, they should make sure to keep copies of all documentation for out-of-pocket expenses related to their accident and ensuing injuries, such as medical bills, pay stubs to illustrate lost work income, and so on.
It can be hard to keep your thoughts straight and focus on the future after suffering serious harm in a preventable slip and fall accident. At the same time, though, being proactive in the weeks, days, and even hours after an accident of this nature can be crucial to protecting your best interests for months, years, and potentially decades to come.
With that in mind, seeking help from the experienced legal team at Phillips Law Group should almost always be one of the first things you do after a slip and fall accident in Phoenix, AZ. Call today to schedule a free, no-obligation consultation.