A slip-and-fall accident can leave a Texas victim with serious, even debilitating injuries. If you fell, you know how the aftermath can leave you with both continued pain and financial losses as you seek medical care and recovery. You may feel both physical discomfort and embarrassment after an accident, but your slip-and-fall accident may not be your fault.
Victims of slip-and-fall accidents may find that they have grounds to seek financial compensation for their losses. Often, a fall may not be the fault of the victim, but rather, the fault of the property owner. After a fall, you may find it beneficial to seek guidance regarding the potential for a civil claim.
What should you do after a fall?
After this type of accident, many people feel embarrassed, so they often downplay the severity of their injuries. In reality, it could be prudent to act quickly to take the appropriate steps necessary to preserve evidence and secure medical care. After a slip-and-fall accident, a victim would be wise to do the following:
- Seek medical attention and get appropriate care according to the nature and extent of the injuries.
- Take pictures of the accident in order to have photo documentation of what happened.
- Seek guidance regarding the legal steps that may be appropriate for the situation.
When you take the necessary steps after an accident, you will lay the groundwork for a strong personal injury claim if you decide to move forward with this legal option.
Who is liable for your accident?
As a slip-and-fall accident victim, you may have valid grounds to move forward with a civil claim. However, it can be difficult to prove that the property owner is liable for your suffering, but you may be able to do so if you can prove one of the following elements:
- Property owner should have known of the dangerous conditions on the premises.
- The property owner did know about the issue but failed to repair it.
- The property owner or manager actually caused the dangerous condition.
If the property owner is actually responsible for what happened to you, he or she may be financially liable for your injuries, financial losses and emotional trauma. After a slip-and-fall accident, you may find yourself facing offers of a settlement or difficulties obtaining your rightful benefits from insurance companies. You do not have to deal with any of these on your own, and you may find it beneficial to seek both guidance and support in the aftermath of a slip-and-fall accident.