If you suffer from a slip and fall and get injured, there are some mistakes you’ll want to avoid. If you make mistakes, then you could hurt your chances of getting the proper settlement.
Here’s what not to do after your slip and fall.
Fail to Report It
As soon as your slip and fall occurs, report it to the property manager or store owner where it occurred. Even if you’re at a friend’s house and you slip and fall and get hurt, you should tell them and have them report it to their homeowner’s or renter’s insurance provider.
Forget to Collect Proof
You will need to gather evidence to support your claim that you slipped and fell and got hurt. Otherwise, how will the insurance company know whose fault it was? Make sure you take pictures of the scene of the accident and your visible injuries/damage to your belongings and collect witness statements. Write down the locations of security cameras just in case there is footage of your fall as well.
Not Go for Medical Treatment
When you’re finished collecting evidence, you need to consider going for treatment right away if you’re injured. If you don’t, it’ll look like your accident wasn’t that serious. Additionally, you must follow your doctor’s orders and treat your injuries. If you don’t go to your appointments or fill your prescriptions, then this could hurt your claim.
Forget That There’s a Statute of Limitations
In Oregon, you must follow the two-year statute of limitations when filing your personal injury claim. However, it’s best to file as soon as possible after your accident, so you remember it more clearly.
Accept the First Settlement You’re Offered
You should never accept the first settlement you’re offered, whether it’s coming from the responsible party or their insurance provider. If you do this, you won’t be able to collect a larger settlement later on. You may be thinking: “Who cares? I’ll just take anything I can get. My injuries are minor anyway.”
The truth is that your injuries could become much worse down the line. You might rack up thousands of dollars in medical bills. It’s not worth it to accept the first settlement, which is going to be too low. The insurance company is not interested in properly compensating you. That’s why you need representation on your side.
Fail to Call a Personal Injury Lawyer
You will need to call a personal injury lawyer to negotiate with the insurance company for you and get you a solid settlement. Then, you can focus on healing, which is what’s most important at this moment in time. Your lawyer won’t charge you a dime unless they can get you a settlement. This means that if a lawyer takes your case on, it means that they believe in it.
You might be worried about paying your medical bills. Your personal injury lawyer can connect you with a network of providers who will provide care for free and then collect their fees once you receive a settlement.
It’s really a win-win situation.
Contact Zbinden & Curtis Today
Zbinden & Curtis, a Portland personal injury law firm, cares about accident victims, and we’re ready to help you with your Oregon slip and fall case. We fight tooth and nail for our clients to get them the settlement they deserve in their time of need. Contact us today to learn more by calling (503) 287-5000 or contacting us on our website for a free case evaluation. We look forward to assisting you.
