Slips and falls in Georgia can result in painful injuries and enormous treatment costs. These types of accidents can happen suddenly, leaving victims scrambling to recover their damages and pay for treatment.
If you were hurt in a slip and fall accident and you were not at fault, you are likely entitled to financial recovery for your costs. To get started, talk to an Atlanta slip and fall accident attorney as soon as possible.
How to Know If You Have a Slip and Fall Case in Atlanta
It’s common for slip and fall accident victims to downplay their injuries or worry they were somehow at fault. You might question whether your case is valid at all. Most of the time, accidents happen because of someone else’s negligence.
If someone, such as a property or business owner, was negligent in their duty to prevent harm on their property and it led to your injuries, they are legally liable for your costs and damages. Basically, you likely have a slip and fall case if:
- A property owner knew about a hazard but failed to fix it in a reasonable
- Their negligence led to your accident
- You were injured because of the accident
- And you’re now facing costs from the accident and your injuries
If you’re not sure, call an Atlanta slip and fall lawyer today. They can look at the details and determine whether you have a case.
- Our team can help you file a: Staples slip and fall lawsuit
- Office Depot slip and fall lawsuit
- OfficeMax slip and fall lawsuit
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Top Causes of Slip and Fall Accidents in Atlanta
Slip and fall accidents can happen anywhere, but some common situations our slip and fall attorneys in Atlanta represent involve:
- Building code violations
- Broken staircases or steps
- Wet floors from water or spilled liquids
- Unlit walkways
- Boxes or products falling from a shelf
- Hazardous objects in a road or parking lot
These are just a few examples. There are a number of ways property owners may fail to keep their premises safe, resulting in a slip and fall.
Six Things to Do After a Slip and Fall Accident in Atlanta
Thankfully, there are some things you can do to protect yourself as soon as a slip and fall accident happens. If you’re well enough after the accident, it’s recommend you do the following:
1. Inspect the Scene
After your accident, try to determine what exactly caused you to slip and fall. Was there anything indicating it could have been a hazard? Many slip and fall accidents happen because the store or owner failed to properly fix or notify visitors of a hazard.
2. Take Pictures and Make Notes
After determining what caused your fall, use your phone to take pictures of the hazardous situation, the entire scene, and any immediate injuries. Pictures can be key in demonstrating what the scene looked like right after the accident.
3. Talk to Witnesses
If other customers, visitors, or witnesses saw you fall, talk to them and ask what they saw. Ask for their full name and contact information, too. Your slip and fall attorney will want to reach out to them later for a more detailed statement.
4. File a Complaint
You may need to file an accident report with the business where your accident happened. This can help your case later. If you need to make a statement, include pertinent information like what happened and injuries you suffered. Stick to the facts and never admit blame or apologize.
Keep in mind this is not the same as giving a statement to an insurance company. If an insurance company for the property owner contacts you, do not make an official statement or sign anything until you’ve spoken to a lawyer first.
5. See a Doctor
If you are critically injured from your slip and fall, you should get medical attention right away. Even if your injuries can wait until after you’ve collected evidence, you should still see a doctor as soon as you can because injuries may worsen. This documentation of your injuries your doctor gives you can be used to strengthen your claim.
6. Call an Atlanta Slip and Fall Accident Lawyer
Insurance companies will do whatever they can to reduce their payout after a personal injury accident like a slip and fall. They might try to offer you some money upfront, but don’t let any of their tactics fool you. Instead, contact an experienced slip and fall lawyer in Georgia to make sure you don’t get taken advantage of by negotiating with the insurer for a fair settlement.
Slip and Fall Accident Claim Compensatory Damages
The damages you can collect for a commercial vehicle accident depend on the specific losses you have experienced. You may also collect damages for things that you are likely to endure in the future. This can be:
- Hospital bills
- Medical expenses such as therapy or medications
- Out-of-pocket expenses for transportation
- Lost wages
- Pain and suffering
- Mental anguish
- Funeral and burial expenses in the event of a wrongful death
Your slip and fall accident attorney in Atlanta can total these damages and assign a value to your non-economic losses to be used in settlement negotiations or in court.
Shared Fault in a Slip and Fall Accident
In some cases, the injured person in a slip and fall is partially or completely to blame for their injuries. For instance, willfully ignoring warning signs or running recklessly through a crowded store could be viewed as negligent behavior.
Under Georgia’s modified comparative fault law, your damage award would be reduced by your percentage of fault if you are found guilty of being liable for a portion of the accident. As an example, if your damages totaled $100,000 and you were found to be 20% to blame, the most you could collect would be $80,000.
You are still eligible to receive monetary compensation in a slip and fall case so long as you were no more than 50% to blame for the accident.
Talk to a Georgia Slip and Fall Lawyer for Free
At John Foy & Associates, we know how painful and overwhelming the moments after the accident can be and you shouldn’t do it alone. You might doubt yourself or wonder where to turn first, but we can help. With more than 20 years of experience representing injury victims, we know how to build a strong claim and protect you from the at-fault party’s insurance company.
Plus, it’s risk-free to work with us. We don’t get paid unless you win money, and the consultation is always FREE. To schedule your free consultation today, call us or contact us here.
404-400-4000 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form