Slip and fall accidents are consistently one of the most common causes of personal injury in the United States. In fact, statistics compiled by the National Safety Council indicate that slip and fall accidents are responsible for almost nine million emergency departments each year. When slips, trips, or falls that result in injury are caused by someone else’s negligence, injured victims are often legally entitled to financial compensation under state law.

In order for people hurt in slip-and-fall accidents to recover, however, they must be able to establish that their accident was the result of someone else’s negligence. In many cases, this requires the gathering of a significant amount of evidence. For this reason, it is critical for slip and fall victims to retain a seasoned personal injury lawyer.

Causes of Slip and Fall Accidents

There are several instances of property owner negligence that could potentially result in a serious injury-causing slip and fall accident. Some of the most common include the following:

  • Accumulations of snow or ice
  • Cracked pavement
  • Debris left on walkways
  • Exposed electrical wiring
  • Inadequate lighting
  • Liquid spills
  • Stairs that lack handrails
  • Torn carpet
  • Uneven flooring
  • Unmarked hazards

After the Accidents

After a slip and fall accident, there are certain steps that victims can take in order to maximize their chances of successfully recovering for their injuries. For example, victims should record details about the way they were injured and take photos of the dangerous condition that caused their accident.

If an accident occurs on a commercial property, it is important to make sure that an official incident report is generated. Additionally, victims should be certain to undergo a thorough medical evaluation conducted by a medical professional, even if they do not believe that they are seriously injured. This will ensure that all injuries are properly treated and that an official record describing them is created.

What Kinds of Evidence Can be Used to Establish Negligence in a Slip and Fall Case?

There are several types of evidence that may be used to establish that a particular slip and fall accident was the result of negligence, such as video surveillance footage, industry standards, witness statements, maintenance records, and more. When you retain a personal injury lawyer, they may compel the production of evidence through a variety of legal processes, including depositions, interrogatories, requests for production, and subpoenas.

The process of obtaining evidence can be extremely complicated; therefore, it is highly advisable for anyone who has been injured in a slip and fall accident to retain an attorney familiar with litigating personal injury cases.

Contact a Personal Injury Law Firm for Help

If you have been injured due to the negligence or recklessness of another party or parties, you may be entitled to financial compensation for the losses you have suffered. Do not delay in contacting an attorney, like a personal injury lawyer from Hayhurst Law PLLC. to find out what legal options you may have.