Although “slipping and falling” might not sound too serious, slip and fall accidents can have serious consequences. Every day, there is the risk of slipping and falling on someone’s premises in Evans. This can lead to huge medical bills, missed work time, emotional damages, and much more. To make sure you aren’t left paying for someone else’s negligence, contact an Evans slip and fall and premises liability lawyer today.
Our lawyers at John Foy & Associates are here to help—and we know how to handle these types of cases. Our firm has been helping injury victims recover the money they need for more than 20 years, and we’re ready to help you too. Let’s start with a FREE consultation so we can discuss the details of your case. Call (404) 400-4000 or contact us online to get started for FREE today.
What Counts as a Valid Slip and Fall Claim in Evans
In Georgia, you typically have a personal injury case if you were hurt by someone else’s negligence. Negligence is the failure to exercise reasonable care towards others, which means acting in a way that any prudent person would in a similar situation.
If you suffered a slip and fall accident caused (fully or partially) by another person’s or business’s negligence, you probably have a valid slip and fall claim. Slip and fall accident lawyers are personal injury lawyers who specialize in premises liability. If you have questions about your situation or the validity of your case, consult with a slip and fall and premises liability lawyer.
Don’t Automatically Blame Yourself
A lot of slip and fall accident victims are quick to blame themselves for what happened. You might worry that you were just “being clumsy” or “not watching where you were going.” The property owner or employees of the business where you fell might also suggest that you should have been more careful.
Whatever you do, do not apologize or admit any blame in your slip and fall accident. Talk to an experienced lawyer first. We find that many of our clients initially think they caused their accident, only to discover that there is more to the story.
In Georgia, property owners and businesses have a legal duty to maintain safe premises for those who come onto their property. That includes:
- Regularly watching for potential hazards
- Recognizing hazards within a reasonable amount of time
- Fixing hazards within a reasonable amount of time
- Warning customers and visitors about hazards if they cannot be cleaned up immediately
People don’t slip and fall for no reason, and it’s often surprising to victims how often the property where they fell holds at least partial responsibility for their accident.
Modified Comparative Negligence in Evans
Even if you were partially negligent in your slip and fall accident, it does not necessarily mean you can’t recover damages. Georgia has modified comparative negligence laws that still allow a victim to recover damages if they were less than 50% at fault (Georgia Code § 51-12-33).
Under comparative negligence, your settlement or award would be reduced by the percentage of fault you hold. For example, if you had $100,000 in damages and you were found to be five percent at fault, the property owner or business would still be liable for 95% of the damages ($95,000) while you would be responsible for five percent ($5,000) of your costs.
Moral of the story: Don’t assume you cannot recover damages without speaking to an experienced slip and fall accident lawyer first. To schedule a FREE consultation with one today, call John Foy & Associates at (404) 400-4000.
Seven Ways to Build a Strong Case After a Slip and Fall Accident in Evans
Thankfully, there are many things you can do to begin building your slip and fall claim—even within minutes of your accident. Here are some ways you can start gathering evidence for your case right away.
1. Take Pictures and/or Video
Picture evidence can be so helpful in a slip and fall claim. Pictures are often even better than a report because they can show exactly what he hazard or dangerous condition and accident scene looked like at the time. This is especially helpful if the issue is cleaned up or fixed quickly after your accident.
Take pictures of the entire accident scene, your injuries, and the hazard or dangerous condition that led to your fall. You might even take a quick video of everything and, in the video, verbally explain what happened.
2. Talk to Witnesses
If anyone nearby saw your slip and fall accident happen or noticed the hazard that caused your fall, talk to them and get their contact information. Having a third-party eye-witness account to back up your case can be really helpful if the insurance company tries to say claim something other than the truth.
3. Report the Slip and Fall Accident
Make sure the property owner or store knows that you fell and were injured. If you’re inside a store, ask an employee to take you to a manager. The store will likely create a report on what happened.
4. Get Medical Attention
If you need immediate medical attention, don’t hesitate to get it right away. Otherwise, be sure to see a doctor for your injuries as soon as you can after leaving the scene. There are two big reasons to do this:
- You’ll get treatment very soon after the accident before your injuries can worsen. You’ll also get an idea of any future treatment you’ll need.
- Seeing a doctor creates a medical documentation trail of your accident injuries, which you will need for your claim.
If you wait too long to see a doctor after you slip and fall accident, the insurance companies might try to say you weren’t hurt as badly as you’re claiming. So, get prompt treatment.
5. Do NOT Apologize
Be careful what you say after a slip and fall accident. Be straightforward about the fact that you fell and were injured. Do not apologize or say anything that could be used against you later.
6. Contact a Slip and Fall Lawyer
Contact an Evans slip and fall and premises liability lawyer after your accident. They can make sure you are taking the right action to maximize your chances of full compensation. Your lawyer can also handle the insurance company for you, as they often look for ways to take advantage of victims in their vulnerable states after an accident.
7. Keep Track of All Expenses
Lastly, keep copies and records of all medical bills, receipts, and other evidence of your losses. This evidence will be important for your claim.
Talk to a Slip and Fall and Premises Liability Lawyer in Evans, GA for Free Today
To get help with your slip and fall accident case from a law firm with 20 plus years of experience, contact John Foy & Associates today. We’ll give you a FREE consultation, and if you decide to work with us, we won’t charge a fee unless we win you money. Call (404) 400-4000 or contact us online to get started with your FREE consultation today.
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