What to Do If You Suffer a Slip and Fall Accident This Spring
While we didn’t have much of a Winter this year in the Pacific Northwest, there has definitely been a noticeable transition to Spring weather this month. This April, we are seeing warmer, sunny days, mixed with cooler, rainy days. This change in weather increases the risk of a slip and fall accident, as surfaces frequently shift between dry and wet conditions, often catching pedestrians off guard and creating unexpectedly slick walking areas.
If you or a loved one was injured in a slip and fall accident due to the negligence of another, you do not have not have to navigate a personal injury claim on your own. An experienced, local slip and fall lawyer can review your accident, discuss your legal rights, and help you recover a full and fair settlement for your losses.
Slip and Fall Hazards in the Spring
The risk of slip and fall accidents increases in April as we typically deal with dry periods mixed with days of heavy rain. These conditions can create slippery surfaces that lead to slips and falls:
- Muddy surfaces as heavy rain mixes with dirt outside.
- People track in water, mud, and plant matter on their shoes, which can create very slippery surfaces on concrete, tile, or hardwood floors.
- Moss and algae buildup on outdoor surfaces, which thrive in the Pacific Northwest’s damp, shaded conditions and can make sidewalks, decks, and entryways especially slick.
Slip and fall Accident Claim
When someone is injured in a slip and fall accident on someone else’s property caused by wet, muddy, or other slippery conditions that were not marked as hazardous or cleaned up in a timely manner, they may be entitled to collect a settlement for their losses from the property owner. A personal injury attorney is best suited to determine whether you have a valid slip and fall accident claim.
A slip and fall accident claim seeks to recover damages in the form of a monetary settlement for:
- Pain and suffering
- Lost wages
- Medical bills
- Lacerations/Scarring
- And more, depending on your case.
A personal injury lawyer will identify all your losses, calculate the true value of your claim, gather evidence to support your claim, and work to negotiate a fair settlement. If a fair settlement cannot be reached, your injury attorney will pursue a lawsuit and advocate for you in court to help secure the compensation you deserve.
What to Do If You Suffer a Slip and Fall Accident this Spring
After a slip and fall accident on another’s property, follow these steps to take care of yourself and protect your legal rights:
- Take photos and/or videos of the accident scene and the clothes and shoes you were wearing at the time of the accident.
- Talk to any eyewitnesses and request their contact information.
- Seek medical attention for diagnosis and treatment of any injuries you may have suffered. Follow any treatment plan you were given as the doctor ordered.
- Report the accident to the property or business owner or manager. Request a copy of the accident report, if one was created.
- Contact a personal injury attorney to discuss your legal rights and options.
Seek the Help of a Personal Injury Lawyer
If you or a loved one was injured because of the negligence of another, contact a personal injury lawyer to discuss your legal rights. Let an experienced accident attorney fight for the full compensation that you deserve. It is not uncommon to receive a settlement from the insurance company that is five to ten times larger with the help of a lawyer. Call the personal injury lawyers at Tario & Associates, P.S. in Bellingham, WA today for a FREE consultation! Since 1979, our personal injury law firm, Tario & Associates, P.S., has been dedicated to fighting for the rights of people injured throughout Washington State, with local offices in Bellingham and Mount Vernon to serve residents of Whatcom, Skagit, Island, and Snohomish counties. You will pay nothing up front and no attorney fees at all unless we recover damages for you!
