There are many places you usually visit for your public or private affairs. Some of these places might be public or private places. Regardless of where you visit, an accident can happen anytime. You can slip and fall on wet floors, fall on uneven surfaces, getting hit by falling objects, getting stuck on faulty elevators, have a dog’s bite, get mugged due to inadequate security, and many more incidents. As long as you are injured due to someone’s fault, the law protects you. Unfortunately, not many people understand their legal rights. They will term the incident as a typical one and move on. But is it a normal incident? Not really. The law requires you to get compensated for the injuries suffered. Here is the process of claiming your legal right.
1. Seek medical attention immediately
If the incident is enormous, you might suffer serious injuries that might not wait for a second. Further waiting might lead to more injuries or loss of life, especially if you are bleeding. The first step when you encounter this is to seek medical attention urgently. Here, the doctor will examine and treat you while writing a doctor’s report for the injuries. Why a doctor’s report? In line with Silverthorne Attorneys, a doctor’s report helps confirm your injuries, which helps calculate your compensation amount. What if you aren’t injured? You might not be sure of injuries if you haven’t undergone a medical examination. It is supreme to have a thorough medical checkup to confirm any hidden injuries.
2. Document the accident scene
Is it a wet floor, uneven stairs, or a faulty elevator? It is essential to document the accident scene or anything that might have caused the accident. How do you do this? You can take pictures or videos of the place and have them ready as evidence. Use your smartphone camera to capture the evidence before it is cleared. You can also record the witness’s account of the accident. Your witnesses might be the people who saw you falling or getting stuck in the elevator. Ensure the information is stored safely or hand it to your lawyer for custody until your compensation case.
3. Gather any other information relevant to your accident
Besides the accident scene, you have to collect any other information that will come in handy when filing your settlement claim.
Besides the witnesses, you can get the CCTV footage of the place or describe the details of the place in full, including its climatic condition, lighting, security, or worn-out parts at the accident scene. It would be best to preserve your possessions, including the shoes and clothes worn at the time of the accident. If the clothes are dirty or with blood, do not wash them. Please keep them intact until filing for your compensation case.
4. File for a report or get a police report
If the accident was massive with many victims, the police might arrive at the scene and write a police report before cleaning the accident scene. Such happens mostly in commercial centers that witness colossal traffic. However, when in a small area, the police might not come to the accident scene. Here, you will need to report the accident to the manager in charge of the building or a security officer and file an accident report. Ensure you get copies of these reports.
5. Get yourself an attorney
Having an attorney before filing for your compensation case is an idea you should never overlook. An attorney is an experienced individual who will help to gather more evidence, talk to witnesses and help you file for your compensation case. They will ensure that you are fully compensated under the law, depending on your injuries. They will also help you calculate your compensation amount, depending on the injuries, pain, and the days you will be off from your usual duties to nurse the injuries. It is crucial not to sign anything from the insurance or property manager without having your lawyer. You might be short-changed or lose your compensation case if you make a slight mistake. Most reliable attorneys work on a contingency fee basis, which you will pay when you win the case.
6. File for your compensation case
This step is your last in fighting for your legal rights. You are supposed to get total compensation depending on the injuries suffered. Your attorney will help you with the compensation process and carry the case to a court of law if the insurance company doesn’t cater to your damages.
While sometimes it is impossible to stop accidents from happening, the law stipulates that you have to get compensated if you suffer an accident at someone’s property caused by negligence. It is vital to get yourself a competent lawyer who will carry you through the process and ensure you are fully compensated after suffering the injuries.
