Falling on an icy sidewalk or snowy footpath can be a serious problem. Especially for elderly or injured people, a fall of this type can cause severe injuries that require hospitalization and rehabilitation or result in long-lasting injuries. If you or a loved one was injured in a slip and fall, there are some steps you should take. One of those steps should be contacting a personal injury lawyer. For a free consultation on your icy sidewalk case, contact Fayetteville slip and fall lawyer Ken Kieklak today.
Slip and Fall Next Steps in Arkansas
If you are by yourself when a slip and fall occurs, it may be difficult to get help, collect information, and gather evidence for a potential court case. If you are with someone else, it is important that they help you out, if possible. However, your first priority should always be getting medical care. After that, there are some other pieces of information you should try to collect. The following are the steps to take after a slip and fall on an icy sidewalk in Arkansas:
Get Medical Care
If you suffered serious injuries like traumatic brain injury (TBI) or a back or neck injury, it is vital to get medical help. If you are in a crowded place, someone may call 9-1-1 to get you emergency medical treatment. If you are alone or in a more secluded location, you may need to call for help yourself. It that means yelling for help until someone comes, that may be your only option. Otherwise, dialing 9-1-1 on your cell phone and asking for an ambulance may be your best option.
Collect Information
If you can, get information from any witnesses to the accident. If someone else saw you slip and fall, their testimony may be important later when you file a lawsuit for your injuries. If you were with someone else, they may be a good witness to the accident. They may also be able to collect witness information for you. Also get information about the owner of the place where you were injured – or at least the address. Being injured on someone else’s property may make them liable for your accident, and you need to be able to contact them.
Gather Evidence
Taking pictures of the scene as it was when you fell is important. If you can have a loved one or a police officer get photos of the sidewalk, the ice, any salt or evidence of shoveling, and a general picture of the area where the slip and fall occurred, this could help your case later. Pictures showing untreated ice or snow accumulation help prove the homeowner failed to make the sidewalk safe for people walking by. If your fall happened near a security camera, such as at a store, on a nearby house, or in a nearby ATM, the video of your fall could also be important evidence. Ask the owner of the security camera to preserve the footage and send it to you.
Keep Records
If you can, get copies of your medical records and any bills you pay to treat the injuries. This information can prove the injuries you suffered and the expenses you incurred because of the injury. Keep this information together in one file. If you can, also keep a record of your injuries and recovery. Keeping a journal listing your injuries and keeping track of your recovery may be important when proving your pain and suffering in court.
Talk to an Attorney
The earlier you talk to a Fayetteville AR personal injury lawyer about your case, the less work you may have to do. An attorney can go to the scene, have pictures taken, find security footage, and look for witnesses to the accident. If you were too injured to go back to the scene and do the legwork, your attorney can help coordinate evidence gathering and investigation and help ensure that the evidence is as clear and professional as possible.
Suing for a Slip and Fall on an Icy Sidewalk in Arkansas
The owner of the house or building next to the sidewalk is usually responsible for making their sidewalk safe. This means that if ice or snow is allowed to accumulate, and you fall because of it, they are responsible for any injuries you face. Proving their fault in court may be a huge project, but an attorney can guide you through the process, handle any filings or court documents, and fight your case in court.
The home or business owner may deny any fault in the case, and their liability or homeowner’s insurance may provide them with a lawyer and money to pay for any injuries. Your Crawford County slip and fall lawyer can negotiate a potential settlement or fight the case in court to prove your injuries and damages.
Fayetteville Slip and Fall Lawyer
If you or a loved one was hurt from falling on an icy sidewalk, it is important to consider hiring an attorney for your case. An attorney can help you understand your options for seeking recovery, fight your case in court, and work to get you the full compensation you deserve. For a free consultation on your case, contact Fayetteville personal injury lawyer Ken Kieklak today at (479) 316-0438.