Slip and fall accidents are common, but that doesn’t make them any less devastating. These injuries account for millions of hospital visits each year. They can occur virtually anywhere and pose a significant threat to the elderly, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Fortunately, victims of slip and fall accidents may have legal recourse if their injuries resulted from the property owner’s negligence.

Personal injury lawyer signs up a new injured client.

It is important to respond to a slip and fall accident in the right way in order to improve your chance of recovering damages. If you would like to speak with a personal-injury lawyer in Albuquerque, contact The Law Office of Brian K. Branch, PC today at 505-207-4401 to arrange a free initial consultation. With a combined 32 years of legal experience, we can gather evidence, structure your claim and fight for the maximum compensation.

Here are three steps to take following a slip and fall accident:

1. Consult an Attorney

While it is true that you can file a lawsuit pro se, an attorney can help you avoid mistakes that could compromise your interests. Personal-injury cases, especially slip and fall accidents, involve property law, liability, negligence and other areas that can be quite complicated. An attorney can explain how these laws relate to your case and can handle settlement negotiations on your behalf to secure the maximum compensation.

2. Gather Information about the Accident

Information is power when it comes to a personal-injury case. The more details you can provide about what happened before and after the fall, the stronger your case could be. You should make it a priority to gather as much information as possible.

This includes statements from witnesses, anything the property owner may have said before or after the fall, and all pertinent medical records. You should also gather medical records and take photos of any injuries. Be sure to document any limitations in activities, as well as any time that you took off work to recover.

3. Notify Insurance Companies of the Incident

Insurance companies play a role in almost every accident lawsuit; however, you should refrain from speaking to an insurance company until you have discussed the case with an attorney. In certain circumstances, insurance companies may try to claim that the hazard which caused the injury was “open and obvious.” This implies that you could have easily avoided the slip and fall if you had paid attention to your surroundings.

If the insurance company attempts to deny your claim and you still intend to pursue damages, then you may be headed toward a complex legal battle. A personal-injury lawyer can help you determine if bringing a claim is in your best interests. If so, your attorney can litigate your case if it goes to trial.

If you have been the victim of a slip and fall accident and want to speak with a lawyer, contact The Law Office of Brian K. Branch, PC today at 505-207-4401.