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Trip and fall accidents, also called slip and falls, can cause minor to severe injuries. They can happen when you’re shopping, at a public park, in a private residence, or in many other places. Even if you’re a careful person, you could potentially suffer from a trip and fall injury and need immediate treatment.
Learn about the common causes of trip and fall accidents as well as what you should do after you suffer from an injury.
The Weather
Snow, rain, sleet, and ice on sidewalks and other surfaces can cause you to trip and fall. Weather conditions can be especially tough if you aren’t wearing the proper shoes, like boots, that will prevent you from slipping. It’s important to always pay attention when you’re walking in this kind of weather and to stay inside as much as possible.
Uneven Surfaces
Uneven surfaces, like potholes or sidewalks with cracks in them, can also lead to you tripping and falling. When you’re inside a store or residence, watch out for torn carpeting, loose mats on the floor, and stairs as well.
Wet Floors
When you’re walking around a store, you always need to watch out for those ‘wet floor’ signs. Sometimes, stores may forget to put them up. Or, there could be a leak coming from the ceiling that they don’t notice. Perhaps someone spilled their drink on the floor, and the store didn’t have time to attend to it yet. Be vigilant, and you can avoid slipping and falling on a wet floor.
Debris on the Ground
If you’re walking around a store, you may notice some debris on the ground. This is especially prevalent around the holidays when stores tend to be busier and may not have time to clean up their store as often.
Poor Lighting
If a store, residence, or public area does not have proper lighting, you might not be able to see where you’re going. You could trip and fall and hurt yourself. It’s a good idea to carry a flashlight with you when you’re going out at night or at least have a flashlight option on your cell phone.
What Do You Do After a Trip and Fall Accident?
After a trip and fall, file a report with the property owner or store manager right away. If you’re in a public park or some other government-owned space, look for an employee to alert. File a report and get a copy of your report in writing. Ask witnesses for statements and take photographs of the scene of the accident, your visible injuries, and damage to your belongings. Note the locations of video cameras that may have captured what happened.
Then, go to your doctor for treatment right away. Stay on top of your care; don’t miss appointments or skip getting your medicine filled.
As soon as possible, get in touch with a personal injury lawyer for a free consultation, so you have the best chance possible of securing a settlement.
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 trip and fall accident. 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 hearing from you.
