A slip and fall injury can be incredibly traumatic and difficult to deal with. If you have been injured in an accident like this, a slip and fall lawyer in Houston, TX can help you. Here are a few ways that you can build and prepare your case.
Ask a Slip and Fall Lawyer in Houston, TX: 7 Crucial Steps to Building Your Case
1. Contact a Lawyer
When it comes to any kind of legal case, the most important first step is to call a lawyer. You are going to want to look for a specialized slip and fall accident lawyer in Houston to ensure that you’re getting the expert guidance and legal help you need.
Your lawyer will be able to help you navigate the legal system and make sure that your legal rights are respected every step of the way. They’ll also make sure that you receive a fair settlement for what you’ve been through.
2. Gather Evidence
As the plaintiff, or the person filing the claim, the burden of proof is upon you. That means that you need to prove to the legal system that your slip and fall accident was caused by the other party’s negligence and that you were injured because of the accident.
There are a few important pieces of evidence you should be gathering. As soon as you are able, ideally immediately after the accident takes place, get photos and videos of where the accident was as well as any other relevant pieces of information. If there were witnesses, get their contact information.
3. Get Medical Records
One of the most important things you can do when you are building your slip and fall case is to get medical records. If you can get doctor’s notes describing your injuries as well as the medical bills you’ve paid, this will help your case.
These pieces of evidence will be extremely helpful in proving your injury. If you are not sure how to get this evidence, your lawyer will be able to help you. They’ll also help you keep track of all the evidence you have and keep things organized.
4. Keep a Pain Journal
If you were injured because of your slip and fall, it’s important to keep track of your injury. A pain journal will help you do this, and it will provide you with a helpful and important piece of evidence that you can present to the courts.
You should aim to start your pain journal the day that you receive your injury, and write in it every day. Include information about how your injury is feeling, the ways it’s impacting your physical ability to do things, as well as the way that it’s making you feel emotionally and mentally.
5. Don’t Speak to Insurance Companies
The other party’s insurance company may try and get in touch with you after your accident. It’s very important to remember that these companies are not your friends. They are going to try and pay you as little money as possible for your settlement, and they might exploit your lack of legal knowledge to do so.
You should avoid communicating with insurance companies altogether. Instead, send them to your lawyer if they have any questions. Don’t reveal any information without speaking to your lawyer first, and be especially careful not to say anything that could be seen as an admission of even partial fault.
6. File Your Case on Time
If you want to make sure that you are properly compensated for your injuries, one thing you’ll need to do is make sure that you are filing your case on time.
There is a statute of limitations on most types of cases, and if you don’t file your case within the timeframe, then you could lose out entirely on your potential compensation. This is why it’s important to make sure everything is filed correctly and on time. Your lawyer can help you do this.
7. Avoid Social Media
You might be tempted to let others in your life know what’s going on by sharing your story on social media. But a surprising amount of personal injury cases are lost because the plaintiff decided to post about it on social media.
As you prepare for your case, you should make sure that you are staying away from social media. Don’t post or share any information about your case, and especially don’t brag about your case or the settlement you’re after. You should also take care not to post any pictures or comments regarding your case.
A slip and fall accident can result in serious injuries. If you’ve been injured in a slip and fall accident that was because of someone else’s negligence, you deserve to be fairly compensated. Working with a qualified lawyer in your area will help you get the settlement that you deserve.
