What to do if You are the Victim of a Slipping and Falling Accident
Now that daylight savings time has ended and we turned our clocks back an hour, the days are shorter and darker. And naturally, as fall rolls along into winter, the weather is also getting colder and before long many places will be seeing the first snowfall of the year. Colder weather often brings wet, slippery conditions on roads and sidewalks that can make basic things like driving to work or walking down the street dangerous. This time of year is also the holiday season, with people shopping and out in public buying gifts in a hurry. As fun as this time of year can be, it can also be hazardous and result in a lot of slipping and falling accidents. Lloyd H. Thomas Law is an accident attorney who has experience working with clients who suffer injuries related to slipping and falling.
Stay on Your Feet this Fall
With shorter days for the next few months, it is important to be mindful of your surroundings. The sun goes down early and darkness and precipitation can mask outdoor hazards. For instance, many slip and fall injuries are the result of damaged or uneven curbs, sidewalks, and parkng lots. If it is dark out and a particular area is not well-lit, you might not see a hazard. Also, if you are in an area where it snows a hazard on the ground could be hidden by layers of ice and snow. Slippery weather conditions are another common outdoor slip and fall accident. Watch out for patches of snow, thin layers of black ice on sidewalks or pavement, and surfaces that become slippery when it is raining. Also, construction areas tend to be hazardous so it is best to try to avoid these areas, or to proceed with caution if you walk through one.
Slipping and Falling Injuries are Common Indoors
While insufficient lighting, damaged walkways, and poor weather conditions can make outdoor environments unsafe, there are a number of ways that slipping and falling injuries are sustained indoors as well. Especially if you are shopping on Black Friday when it’s chaotic, or during the busy holiday season in crowded places like malls and shopping centers, you need to try to be aware of your surroundings. Escalators and moving walkways can cause harm to people if they are not paying attention. Also, if the weather is slippery outside, chances are that some of it will be brought indoors on people’s shoes as well. Public restrooms, gyms, and swimming pools are places that tend to have especially wet floors, so look out for water on the floor or wet floor signs.
Steps to Take if You Slip and Fall
Slipping and falling can oftentimes be embarrassing, especially if you are out in public. A lot of people’s first reaction is to get up as quickly as possible and carry on, as if nothing had happened. While that might ease your embarrassment, it will do you no favors in the long run. It is best to document what happened. Some important things to do are:
Take photos of the scene right after it happened
Inform an employee if you are in a store so it gets documented
Seek medical attention immediately to help prove that you injuries are related to your fall
Write down what property you are on or building you are in
Write down the exact time and date of the incident
Take photos of your injury since most photos nowadays are time stamped
Contact a Personal Injury Lawyer
If you suffered a personal injury as the result of slipping and falling, then you will need a personal injury lawyer. Give Lloyd a call at (404) 848-8898 or send him a message today. Lloyd H. Thomas is a personal injury attorney who will help you properly write your claim and settle your case. If you suffer from the carelessness of a business or property owner and slip and fall, Lloyd H. Thomas will catch you and help you get fairly compensated.
