A slip and fall accident might sound like something minor in Hinesville, but the consequences can be very serious. Depending on the nature of the accident, a slip and fall can leave you with costly medical bills, weeks or month of missed work time, and emotional damages.
You should not have to bear the burden of these costs if you were not fully at fault for your accident, though. That’s where a slip and fall and premises liability lawyer in Hinesville can help.
It’s your right as an injury victim to seek compensation for the costs of injuries you did not cause. At John Foy & Associates, we have been helping slip and fall accident victims do just that for more than 20 years. We are not afraid to stand up to the insurance company and protect your legal rights.
To learn more, contact us today for a FREE consultation at (404) 400-4000 or online.
How to Know If Your Injury Counts in a Slip and Fall Case in Hinesville
It’s common for slip and fall accident victims to worry they are to blame for what happened. People typically assume a slip, trip, or fall is a sign of clumsiness or not being careful enough. However, many slip and fall accidents in Hinesville have nothing to do with clumsiness and everything to do with premises liability.
If the business or owner of the property where you fell was negligent in your accident, you likely have a valid case. “Negligence” is a legal term for carelessness. In most premises liability cases, there has been an obstacle, hazard, or otherwise dangerous condition that caused the slip and fall accident.
The Duty of Property Owners in Hinesville
Under Georgia Code § 51-3-1, property owners and occupiers have a duty to “exercise ordinary care” in keeping their premises and approaches safe for those how legally come onto their property. That means property owners, managers, and employees must be diligent to:
- Regularly check for potential hazards
- Recognizing hazards within a reasonable amount of time
- Clean up, fix, or warn visitors about hazards within a reasonable amount of time after recognizing them
If these duties are not upheld and it leads to a slip and fall accident, the property owner or occupier might be liable for the injury costs. If you were the victim of a slip and fall on someone else’s property and they were at fault, you likely have a valid case. That means you can file a personal injury claim with the property owner’s insurance company.
Common Types of Slip and Fall Accidents in Hinesville
Slip and fall accidents can happen just about anywhere in Hinesville. Some of the most common types of accidents we see include:
- Slipping and falling on wet floors from water, spilled food or beverage items, or other hazards
- Tripping over unmarked or broken steps
- Falling down stairs
- Tripping on uneven pavement
- Slipping and falling because of poor lighting
If you’re not sure if your accident counts in a slip and fall case, contact a premises liability lawyer in Hinesville as soon as possible. They can look at the details of your case and discuss your options. To get a FREE consultation with an experienced premises liability lawyer, contact John Foy & Associates today at (404) 400-4000.
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What to Do After a Slip and Fall Accident in Hinesville, GA
If you are hurt during a slip and fall accident, the burden falls on you to show what happened and prove your damages. To do that, you’ll need to start gathering information to include in your claim. Here are some of the best ways you can do that.
Take Pictures at the Scene
Picture evidence of the scene shows how it looked right after the accident. If the property owner or a store employee cleans up the scene soon afterward, your pictures will preserve how everything looked.
Use your phone or a camera to take pictures of:
- The dangerous or hazardous condition that caused your slip and fall accident
- Your injuries from the accident
- The entire accident scene
- Anything else that helps show what happened and where it happened
Talk to Witnesses at the Scene
If anyone else saw your fall or noticed the hazard that caused your fall, talk to them. Ask about what they saw. Then, ask for their name(s) and contact information.
Your lawyer will want to reach out to these witnesses later for statements. Having someone else who was present at the scene confirm your case can be extremely helpful.
Report the Accident to the Property Owner or Manager
Always make sure that the property owner or store knows that you had a slip and fall accident and were injured. If you’re in a store, ask an employee to take you to a manager.
Be very careful not to admit blame in the accident. Just stick with the facts, and get the manager’s or owner’s contact information.
Get Medical Attention
If your slip and fall accident causes serious, life-threatening injuries, getting medical attention should be your first priority. Otherwise, make sure you see a doctor as soon as you can after leaving the scene.
When you file your premises liability claim with the insurance company, an insurance adjuster will begin investigating your case. Insurance companies do not like to pay out much on personal injury claims, so they will look for ways to reduce your settlement.
If you wait too long to see a doctor, the insurance company may try to say you weren’t hurt as badly as you claim.
Seeing a doctor also creates a medical record of your accident injuries and gives you an understanding of how much your medical costs will be.
What If the Property Owner Was a Friend?
If you fell on the property of someone you know, it can be awkward to consider filing an insurance claim. However, we find that most property owners are happy that they have an insurance policy that will help cover the costs of the accident.
Keep in mind that you are not seeking legal action directly against the property owner. You’ll be working with their insurance company.
Talk to a Slip and Fall and Premises Liability Lawyer in Hinesville for Free Today
At John Foy & Associates, we can help you build a strong premises liability claim to seek the compensation you deserve. There is no risk to work with us because we don’t take a fee unless we win you money.
Call (404) 400-4000 or contact us online today to get a FREE consultation.
912-400-4000 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form
