If you have been injured in a slip and fall accident, you might choose to file a personal injury claim for damages. To support your claim, you must provide enough evidence to support your claim. You must preserve any evidence pertaining to your accident so you can make sure your case is strong and has everything it needs to prove liability.
Go Back to the Scene
You need to collect evidence by returning to the accident scene. Search for any contributing factors that might have played a role in the accident. Here are some examples of things that could have contributed to your fall:
- Loose floor tiles
- Built up residue on the floor
- Spills that haven’t been properly cleaned
Every detail should be properly photographed and documented. Each thing you can document will help prove liability and show that you are not at fault for your injuries. Proving the store is liable is detrimental to winning your personal injury claim.
Protect the Physical Evidence
Physical evidence is essential in proving fault for an accident. While photos are beneficial, any physical evidence resulting from the accident is very helpful with your claim as well.
Since your injuries were suffered during a slip and fall, you need to keep any clothing that might have been torn or bloodied during the accident. You should keep anything that was broken or damaged, such as eyeglasses or a watch. It is extremely important that you keep your shoes so you can show that the soles were not to blame for the fall.
If the store had surveillance video, that might be used in court as well. Your lawyer might have to request it, and the court might have to order for its release but they are often used for such claims.
Locate Witnesses to the Fall
Witnesses are very important when it comes to a personal injury claim. If possible, you should get the names and contact information for witnesses. The police officer filling out the accident report might collect this information for the report. The store’s surveillance video might have caught some witnesses to track down as well. Of course, there may have been employees at the store who saw what happened as well.
The Role of a Personal Injury Attorney
Your personal injury attorney can make sure all documentation is put in order and that your evidence is properly filed so support your claim. Your personal injury attorney can improve your odds of being awarded compensation.
Your slip and fall lawyer can make sure an experienced photographer documents the accident scene. Your attorney also knows how to locate and approach witnesses, what kind of evidence to look for, and how to formally document key evidence in support of your claim.
It is wise to consult with a personal injury attorney as soon as possible after the accident. The lawyer can immediately start working on your case and gathering the evidence that is needed to win your personal injury claim for you.
