If you get hurt in a slip and fall accident, you may be able to claim compensation. It can be more difficult to negotiate a fair settlement if you make some of the mistakes that accident victims commonly make though. A Washington, D.C. parking lot accident lawyer from our firm can help you avoid these common errors and start building a case against a negligent property owner right away.
What Should a Victim of a Slip and Fall Accident Never Do?
When you get hurt in a slip and fall accident, some costly mistakes can make it more difficult to sue a property owner and secure a fair compensation offer. Some things to avoid include:
- Talking to the insurance company on your own
- Not filling out a store incident report and getting your own copy
- Posting to social media accounts about your accident
- Making any statements that admit fault
- Downplaying your injuries
- Not getting medical care right away
- Accepting the first settlement offer
Once you have avoided these common pitfalls, you need to start building your case right away. We recommend:
- Taking pictures of the accident scene
- Getting contact information for eyewitnesses
- Getting medical care right away
- Asking for a copy of the store incident report
- Talking to an attorney about your options
Can I Sue For Damages After a Slip and Fall Accident?
If you believe that the property owner was negligent and that this negligent led to your slip and fall accident and injuries, then you should sue for compensation. If you’re looking at a growing stack of hospital bills and struggling with medical issues that could take a long time to recover from, you should receive something to make up for your expenses and your pain.
We can help you fight for a fair compensation offer that makes up for things like psychological trauma and lost wages. Your lawyer can negotiate with the insurance companies on your behalf. If we can’t reach a settlement, we will fight for you at trial.
How Long Do I Have to Sue?
You do not have an unlimited time to sue for damages, which is why we always recommend acting quickly to take legal action. Washington, D.C. and Maryland give accident victims three years to file a lawsuit. Virginia gives victims just two years. File after this statute of limitation expires and your case is likely to be thrown out.
Talk to a Personal Injury Lawyer
If you got hurt in a slip and fall accident, be careful to not do anything that could impact your claim negatively. Then contact Trombly & Singer, PLLC to schedule a case consultation. We want to hear about what happened to you and we want to help.
