Slip and Fall Cases—Easy Wins or Hard Losses?
Many people think of slip and fall cases as an “easy” way to make money on a slight injury. Nothing could be further from the truth; in fact, many victims of slip and fall accidents suffer serious, life-changing injuries from their accidents. However, due to the difficulty of proving that a slip and fall accident has caused serious damage, many attorneys avoid these cases and many victims are left without any means to recover compensation for their injuries.
According to Daniel M. Gilleon, a San Diego personal injury attorney, there are things you can do immediately after your accident that can maximize your chances of recovering compensation. These tips include:
- Do not speak with the insurance company. It is highly likely that the insurance company representing the property owner will try to get you to admit that the accident was your own fault, to sign a release or to settle for a very small amount of money. It is in your best interests to avoid speaking with the insurance company until you have retained an attorney.
- Seek medical attention immediately. One of the biggest mistakes that victims make is failing to seek immediate medical attention. Your failure to have your injuries identified and treated is a strong indicator, in the eyes of a jury, that you did not consider yourself injured badly enough to seek help. This could lead the jury to conclude that you should not be awarded compensation. On the other hand, seeking immediate medical attention shows that you were injured and can be used as evidence in support of your case.
- Do not make assumptions. It is possible that you are partially responsible for your own accident. However, in California, that does not bar you from collecting partial compensation for your injuries. Under the comparative negligence doctrine, the victim can be somewhat responsible for an injury and still recover money from the negligent party. No matter what the property owner or an insurance company tells you, it is important to discuss your case with an attorney.
Dan Gilleon has been helping victims of all types of accidents for many years to recover compensation from those who are responsible for their injuries. He and his staff have the experience to help you with your slip-and-fall case. Call today for a free consultation to learn more about how Dan Gilleon may be able to help you recover compensation to pay for your medical bills and other expenses related to your accident.
