Slip and fall accidents can happen suddenly when you least expect them in Smyrna. No one walks into a store or onto someone else’s property thinking they will have to worry about injuries, medical bills, missed work time, and more. Thankfully, the law is on your side, and a slip and fall and premises liability lawyer in Smyrna can help.
Most slip and fall accidents are the result of manager or employee negligence, which means you may have the right to compensation for your costs. At John Foy & Associates, we can help you investigate the details and build a strong insurance claim for recovery.
Call us today at (404) 400-4000 or contact us online to discuss what you should do next and how we can help.
How to Know If You Have a Valid Slip and Fall Case in Smyrna
It’s pretty normal for slip and fall accident victims to worry whether or not they have a valid case. Falling is embarrassing, and you might think you somehow caused your accident. However, many slip and fall accidents are the result of someone else’s negligence.
Those who own or occupy a property in Smyrna have a legal duty to those who come onto that property. If the owner or occupier fails in that duty and someone gets injured, the former is liable for damages (according to Georgia Code § 51-3-1). That means you have the legal right to file an injury claim for compensation of your costs.
Any injury case in Georgia is based on fault. You likely have a valid case if:
- The property owner knew about a hazard or failed to fix it in a reasonable amount of time, meaning they were negligent.
- That negligence led to your slip and fall accident and your injuries.
- The damages you now face directly result from the store’s negligence and the slip and fall accident.
Common Slip and Fall Accident Causes
There are a number of ways slip and fall accidents can happen. Some of the most common examples we see include:
- Poorly lit stairs or walkways
- Wet floors that are not marked
- Spilled foods, beverages, or other liquids
- Broken staircases or uneven flooring
- Building code violations
- Merchandise left out in one of the store’s aisles
If you are unsure whether or not your accident counts as a slip and fall case, talk to a Smyrna slip and fall accident lawyer as soon as possible. At John Foy & Associates, we’ll start with a FREE consultation to discuss the details and your best options.
Call (404) 400-4000to schedule your free consultation today.
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Falling at the Home of Someone You Know
Many slip and fall accidents happen on store properties like grocery stores, clothing stores, or home goods stores. However, slips and falls can happen on someone’s personal property too. If you fell and were injured on the property of someone you know, you may still have a case. If a friend or loved one was negligent in your fall, they are still liable.
You might worry about what filling a slip and fall accident claim will do to your relationship with the person who owns the property where you fell. Remember that the claim is not against your friend or loved one.
Injury claims are filed with the property owner’s insurance company, so your friend likely won’t be involved at all. They will probably be thankful that you have a way to get compensation for the damages you now face.
There Is a Statute of Limitations for Slip and Fall Cases in Georgia
As soon as your slip and fall accident happens, the clock begins ticking. In Smyrna, you typically have two years from the date of your accident to file a claim for compensation. In some situations, you have even less time.
The time goes by quickly, and there are a lot of steps involved along the way. For this reason, it’s best to start taking action immediately. Call an experienced lawyer today who understands slip and fall cases. The sooner you have a legal professional on your case, the better.
How a Slip and Fall Accident Lawyer Can Help Your Case
You might wonder if you can handle your case alone. The answer is “yes,” but it’s not recommended. Slip and fall and premises liability cases are often very complicated, and insurance companies rarely take victims seriously unless they have legal representation.
Here are some ways a good lawyer can help you after a slip and fall accident in Smyrna.
Gathering Evidence for Your Claim
There are some pieces of information that only a lawyer can obtain. For example, you might need access to surveillance footage in the store where you fell that shows your accident happening. A lawyer can work to get this for you so it can be used in your case.
A lawyer will also help you investigate every detail of your accident, including getting copies of medical records and contacting witnesses for testimonies. They can ensure you focus on the right pieces of evidence and don’t waste time in the wrong areas.
Getting the Insurance Company to Take You Seriously
Insurance companies will look for ways to pay as little as possible on injury claims. If the store where you fell was a large chain, they will likely have an entire team of legal professionals ready to handle slip and fall claims.
Insurance companies know that most injury victims don’t understand much about premises liability and how much money they are actually entitled to receive. It’s easy to get taken advantage of, unless you have a lawyer who knows how to handle the situation.
Insurance companies are more likely to offer a fair settlement sooner if they know you have good legal representation.
Negotiating for a Fair Settlement
You should never accept the first offer from an insurance company after you file your claim. It’s always a lowball offer that won’t come close to covering your total costs. A slip and fall accident lawyer will know how to negotiate with the insurance company for an amount that is actually fair to you.
Being Your Advocate at All Times
Sometimes, slip and fall accident claims end up going to court. It’s rare, but there are times when it’s your best choice. If you do end up filing a lawsuit, your lawyer will be there every step of the way to represent you and help you prepare.
Talk to a Slip and Fall and Premises Liability in Smyrna, GA for Free
At John Foy & Associates, we know what it takes to win slip and fall accident cases in Smyrna. Contact us today to get matched with the best lawyer for your situation. We’ll give you a FREE consultation to discuss the details and how we can help.
To get started with your FREE consultation, call us any time at (404) 400-4000 or contact us online.
404-400-4000 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form
