Trip and Fall Lawyer Charlotte, NC
An experienced Charlotte, NC trip and fall lawyer can help you evaluate your legal options and fight for the compensation you deserve. From understanding the complexities of premises liability law to navigating the claims process, an attorney will provide the professional legal assistance you need to protect your rights and get the compensation you are entitled to. If you have recently been injured, contact a lawyer at Ted A Greve & Associates for help.
How Do I Know if I Have a Case?
To establish a valid trip and fall claim, you must be able to prove that the property owner had a duty to maintain safe premises, failed to do so, and that this failure resulted in your injury. If the property owner was aware of the dangerous condition and still failed to take the necessary steps to protect visitors from injury, then you may be eligible to receive compensation. In Charlotte, North Carolina, property owners must keep their premises in a reasonably safe condition, meaning they must regularly inspect the property and address any potential hazards as soon as possible. If a property owner has allowed an unreasonable amount of time to pass before addressing a hazard or has neglected to do proper maintenance on the property, then they may be held liable for any injuries that occur on their premises. You should also be aware that there are certain exceptions in which a property owner is not liable for a trip and fall accident. These include cases in which the injured party was trespassing or should have been aware of the hazard.
How Much Is My Case Worth?
The primary factor that will determine how much compensation you may be entitled to is the severity of your injuries. If your injuries are serious, with long-term effects, then you may be entitled to more compensation than if your injuries are minor. Additionally, your expenses will also be taken into consideration when determining the value of your case. If you have incurred medical bills due to your injury, then those costs should be factored into your compensation. Likewise, if you have experienced lost wages due to having to take time off work for treatment or recovery, those lost wages should also be compensated for.
What Are the Next Steps?
The first step is to reach out to a Charlotte trip and fall lawyer. It is important to seek legal representation so that your case can be properly evaluated and you can receive advice on how to best proceed. A qualified lawyer will be able to explain the complexities of personal injury law and how it applies to your situation. They will also be able to advise you on how to gather the necessary evidence and other information related to your case. Then, the next step is to thoroughly document your injuries and medical care. Keep track of all your medical expenses, including medications, visits to the doctor, physical therapy, etc., as this information will be crucial when calculating the total amount of damages you are entitled to. Additionally, you should take pictures of the area where you fell, as this can help prove that the hazardous condition was not caused by you or anyone else. Once you have gathered all the necessary evidence and documentation, your lawyer will help prepare a formal demand letter detailing your injuries and damages. This letter will be sent to the responsible party and/or their insurance company. The goal is to get them to accept responsibility for your accident and offer you a settlement amount for your injuries.
Talking With Insurance After a Trip and Fall Accident
When you are trying to get fair compensation after a trip and fall accident in North Carolina, things can quickly become tricky. Any well-trained insurance agent knows that, for the most part, all they have to do is get the trip and fall victim on the phone for them to have a significantly higher chance of reaching a low settlement. They will likely ask you “thoughtful” questions.
- How are you doing?
- How are your injuries?
- Are you healing okay?
- Can you explain what happened with the accident?
- Were you on your phone or wrangling your kids when it happened?
They may even end the phone call by saying “I completely understand. It can happen to any one of us.” If you are not used to speaking with an insurance agent, this may seem incredibly reassuring. They called to check on you and made you feel heard! This is exactly how they want you to feel. So comfortable that you are willing to give over as much information and as many details as possible regarding your accident. You may quickly realize that when they send a settlement offer over they have you on record stating things that somehow go against your own claim. How is this possible? Insurance agents like to catch you off guard, take what you have said, and twist it for their own company’s gain. This means getting you the lowest settlement offer possible and moving on to the next person.
Is it really that bleak?
None of this is meant to be bleak. However, it is a reality check. When you have been injured in a trip and fall accident, there are many tricks that an insurance agent can use fairly quickly to get you to admit to some level of fault.
Pure Contributory Negligence and Your Claim
Unfortunately, if you give the insurance company information that they can quickly use against you, it is possible that you will be barred from recovering damages. If you say that you turned around to grab your toddler from running off in the store or reached into your purse to grab your phone when you tripped, these are both things an insurance agent could use to say that you were the one who was distracted and you were the one who caused the accident to happen. It doesn’t matter if the light above you was broken and made it hard to see or if a grocery store worker left cleaning supplies in the middle of the floor. Remember that in North Carolina if the insurance company can show you were slightly responsible for the accident, you will not be walking away with the compensation you deserve.
What can I do?
Simply put, avoid speaking with the other party’s insurance agent as much as possible. If they call, tell them you would like to speak with them through your lawyer and do not allow them to record your conversation with them. Your lawyer is there to negotiate your claim on your behalf.
If you have recently been injured, contact a Charlotte trip and fall lawyer at Ted A Greve & Associates for help today!
Common Causes of Trip and Fall Accidents
Trip and fall accidents are a common type of personal injury accident that can occur in a variety of settings, from homes and workplaces to public spaces like sidewalks and parks. These accidents typically occur when a person trips over an object, obstacle, or uneven surface, causing them to lose their balance and fall. They also can occur from negligent actions which is where a Charlotte, NC trip and fall lawyer can assist. The following are some common causes of trip and fall accidents:
- Uneven Surfaces: Uneven surfaces are a common cause of trip and fall accidents. This can include sidewalks, flooring, and stairs that are not level, or areas where the ground has been damaged, such as potholes or cracked pavement.
- Slippery or Wet Surfaces: Slippery or wet surfaces can also cause people to lose their footing and fall. This can include spills, wet floors, or slippery surfaces caused by rain, ice, or snow.
- Obstructions: Obstructions in walkways or pathways, such as trash cans, boxes, or other objects, can also cause trip and fall accidents. These obstacles can make it difficult for people to see where they are walking and can cause them to trip and fall.
- Poor Lighting: Poor lighting can make it difficult to see potential hazards and can increase the risk of trip and fall accidents. This is particularly true in dimly lit areas, such as stairwells or parking garages.
- Footwear: Footwear can also play a role in trip and fall accidents. Shoes with high heels, slick soles, or worn-out treads can make it difficult for people to maintain their balance and can increase the risk of falls.
- Age: As people age, their balance and mobility can become more compromised, making them more susceptible to trip and fall accidents.
- Distractions: Distractions, such as using a cell phone or talking with others, can also increase the risk of trip and fall accidents. When people are distracted, they may be less likely to pay attention to potential hazards in their environment.
Injuries from trip and fall accidents can range from minor bruises and cuts to serious injuries such as broken bones, head injuries, and spinal cord injuries. The severity of the injuries will depend on the individual circumstances of the accident. If you have been involved in a trip and fall accident then reach out to a Charlotte trip and fall lawyer from Ted A. Greve & Associates to see if your case may be eligible for a lawsuit.
Professional Help
To avoid trip and fall accidents, it is important to be aware of your surroundings, pay attention to potential hazards, and take steps to prevent falls. This may include wearing appropriate footwear, ensuring walkways and pathways are clear and well-lit, and avoiding distractions while walking. If you are a property owner, it is also important to take steps to maintain safe conditions on your property and address any potential hazards as soon as possible to prevent accidents. However, If you have been in an accident and you believe that it was due to negligence or a property owner failing to keep the property safe then reach out to Ted A. Greve & Associates today to speak with a trip and fall lawyer Charlotte, NC residents turn to.
