Injuring yourself in a slip and fall accident is one of the quickest ways to ruin your vacation. Spending your time off in a hospital and determining what to do next only complicate the issue.
If you slip or fall anywhere, whether you are on vacation, at home, at work, or running personal errands, the first thing you need to do is seek medical attention for your injury. Do not worry about filing a claim or receiving compensation until you have received a doctor’s diagnosis and appropriate treatment for your injury.
Shortly After your Accident, Gather Evidence
If you were injured at a resort or hotel, file an accident report with the resort. In cases like this as well as with accidents that occur off site, you need to gather as much evidence of your accident and injury as possible to support your claim. Your diagnosis and documentation of your medical treatment are two important pieces of evidence to use, but they are not the only pieces you will use. Other pieces of evidence that can help to support your personal injury claim include eyewitness testimonies and photographs and security camera footage of the accident scene.
If you need further evidence to prove your claim, your attorney can help you acquire it. Contact an attorney within a timely manner after receiving medical care for your injury and gathering your evidence.
Work with a Local Personal Injury Attorney
Local to where your injury occurred, not local to your hometown. After you have received appropriate medical attention, speak with a personal injury attorney who practices in the area where your injury occurred to move forward with your personal injury case. Working with a local attorney, rather than one where you live, is necessary for the following reasons:
- He or she is knowledgeable about the local laws, such as the state’s statute of limitations for personal injury claims and whether certain doctrines, such as the doctrine of modified comparative negligence, apply to your case; and
- A local attorney is eligible to work in the state where your injury occurred. If you need to file a lawsuit, it is necessary that your attorney is licensed by the state’s bar.
Laws vary from state to state and between countries. Before you go on vacation, familiarize yourself with the local laws that pertain to personal injuries, such as the statute of limitations for this type of claim and the laws regarding dog bites and premises liability. Your attorney can discuss these laws with you in greater detail during your legal consultation. Call the experienced slip and fall attorneys at Pearce Law Firm today (215) 600-1433.