Slipping and falling might sound like something minor, but slip and fall accidents on a property in Sugar Hill can easily lead to serious injuries and costs. If you were injured on someone’s premises, you might be entitled to financial recovery for medical costs, lost wages, and more. A slip and fall and premises liability lawyer in Sugar Hill can help you seek the compensation you deserve.
At John Foy & Associates, we’ve been supporting slip and fall accident victims for more than 20 years, and we know what it takes to win cases. We are not afraid to stand up to the insurance companies and fight for your legal rights. Plus, we don’t charge a fee unless we win money for you in your case.
Call us today and we’ll start with a FREE consultation and case evaluation. We can look at the details of your case, build a strong claim, and communicate with the insurance company on your behalf.
To learn more, call (404) 400-4000 or contact us online to schedule your FREE consultation.
Why Slip and Fall Accidents Can Happen in Sugar Hill
Property owners and businesses in Sugar Hill have a legal duty to maintain safe premises for those who come onto their properties. While some of these businesses are diligent and responsible, others are not careful enough. If an owner or business does not take measures to prioritize safety, slip and fall accidents can happen at any time.
Slip and fall accident cases are based on the concept of negligence. If a person or party has a legal duty and they breach that legal duty, they have been negligent. To seek compensation for your slip and fall, you will need to show that the property owner or business was negligent in your accident.
Common Premises Liability Issues in Sugar Hill
There are many different ways slip and fall accidents can happen. For example, employees of a business must regularly check for and remove or clean up hazardous or dangerous conditions on the premises. If they fail to do so, a customer or visitor can slip, fall, and become injured.
Some common hazards or dangerous conditions that can exist and lead to slip and fall accidents in Sugar Hill include:
- Wet or slippery floors from mopping or waxing
- Spilled beverages or food items
- Uneven, cracked, or crooked flooring, pavement or walkways
- Rain, ice, or snow that has been tracked into the property
- Curled up or torn carpeting or rugs
- Fallen merchandise left out in the aisles
- Stairs without handrails or with broken steps
- Poorly-lit walkways
After a slip and fall accident, it can be tempting to blame yourself or brush off the fall as a clumsy accident. However, people don’t fall for no reason, and there might have been negligence involved in your slip and fall.
While you do have a duty to exercise ordinary care and avoid obvious hazards (as mentioned under Georgia Code section 51-11-7), it’s important to not blame yourself before speaking to an experienced lawyer first. They can investigate the details of the accident and determine where fault truly lies. Many slip and fall accident victims are surprised to find that their accident couldn’t have been avoided through their own care.
Speak to a lawyer before you apologize or admit any blame in the accident. Don’t say anything that could be used against you later until you have all the facts.
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How to Prove a Slip and Fall Accident in Sugar Hill
If the property owner or business is indeed at fault for your accident, you have the legal right to seek compensation for your damages (Georgia Code § 51-1-6). To do this, you’ll need to file a personal injury claim with the at-fault party’s insurance company and prove the following:
- The property owner or an employee of the business either knew about the hazard that caused your fall but didn’t fix it within a reasonable amount of time or they had enough time to know about the hazard but did not.
- Your slip and fall accident happened as a result of their negligence.
- You suffered damages as a result of the slip and fall accident and your injuries.
Proving the above points takes time and research. You will need to:
- Report the accident to the property owner or business’s manager
- Take pictures of the accident scene and hazard that caused your fall (if you still can)
- Get medical treatment as soon as possible, even if you think your injuries are minor or you feel fine
- Keep track of all expenses you face as a result of the accident, including medical bills and lost work time
Taking the above actions will help keep a record of the accident and everything that you have suffered because of it. You’ll also want to contact a slip and fall and premises liability lawyer in Sugar Hill as early as possible, as they can make sure you are taking the best actions for your case.
Don’t Take the First Offer from the Insurance Company
When you file a claim seeking damages from your slip and fall accident, you’ll be dealing mostly with the at-fault party’s insurance company. Insurance companies do not like to pay much on injury claims, so they will likely look for ways to reduce the value of your claim.
One way the insurance company might try to get you to accept less is by offering you a settlement soon after your accident. They are hoping that a quick offer will encourage you to take the money and end the whole ordeal. However, the first offer is almost always a lowball that barely covers any of your damages—and accepting it will prevent you from seeking more compensation.
Do not accept the first settlement offer in any slip and fall accident case. Instead, talk to an experienced lawyer who routinely works on these types of cases. They will know what is actually a good offer, and they can work to negotiate with the insurance company for a fairer settlement.
Talk to a Slip and Fall and Premises Liability Lawyer in Sugar Hill, GA for Free Today
After a slip and fall accident in Sugar Hill, you typically have two years from the date of your accident to file a claim. This time goes quickly, and you will need to allow enough time to build your case, so don’t wait. Call John Foy & Associates today at (404) 400-4000 or contact us online for a FREE consultation and case evaluation.
404-400-4000 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form