Slip and fall accidents are among the leading causes of injury in Concord, North Carolina. These accidents can result in serious injuries, including broken bones, torn tendons and ligaments, spinal cord injuries, and traumatic brain injuries. If you slipped and fell due to an unsafe condition on someone else’s property, the slip and fall lawyers of Ted A. Greve & Associates are here to help you seek the compensation you deserve.
Contact our law firm for a free consultation with a slip and fall injury lawyer in Concord, NC. During your initial consultation, we’ll go over your injuries, the incident that caused them, and the steps we’ll take to hold the responsible party liable.
Understanding Slip and Fall Injury Claims in Concord, NC
Slip and fall injury claims fall under premises liability. A key part of premises liability cases is identifying whether the injured party was a lawful visitor or trespasser. Property owners owe lawful visitors, such as customers, clients, and social guests, a higher standard of care than they do trespassers.
If you were a lawful visitor on the property where you were injured, you must show that the property owner’s negligence contributed to your injury. A slip and fall lawyer can help you establish that a hazard existed on the property, that the owner knew or should have known of it, and that they failed to take reasonable steps to remedy or warn you.
Why Hire a Slip and Fall Injury Lawyer in Concord, NC
One of the main benefits of hiring a slip and fall attorney is that they can handle every aspect of your case while you focus on your recovery. Your attorney will investigate the incident to identify the liable parties and collect evidence. They’ll negotiate with insurance companies on your behalf and seek a fair settlement. And they’ll prepare for and represent you at trial if the insurance companies refuse to give you the compensation you need and deserve.
An attorney’s experience handling insurance companies can also help you secure more compensation than you would be able to on your own. Insurance companies often use bad-faith negotiation tactics to get you to accept a settlement below your case’s value, and a skilled attorney can protect you from falling into their traps.
Determining Liability in Slip and Fall Cases
Determining liability in slip and fall cases involves collecting various types of evidence, including accident scene photos, security camera footage, eyewitness statements, and more. Your attorney will use this evidence to show that the owner or manager was negligent in their control of the property and that their negligence contributed to your injuries.
In some cases, there may be other parties who share liability. For example, a construction company may be liable for your damages if poor construction, like uneven stairs, contributed to your slip and fall.
Maximizing Compensation for Your Slip and Fall Injury
North Carolina uses a contributory negligence rule that bars plaintiffs from seeking compensation for injuries they contributed to in any way. If you were looking at your phone when you slipped on a wet floor and fell in a grocery store, the defendant will likely claim that you were distracted and, therefore, contributed to the accident.
It’s vital for your case that you work with a lawyer who can provide evidence showing that you were not partially to blame for the accident so you can seek the compensation you deserve.
Steps to Take After a Slip and Fall Accident in Concord, NC
Taking the right steps after a slip and fall accident in Concord, NC, can significantly impact your case. It’s important to document the scene, seek medical attention, and consult a slip and fall injury lawyer.
Documenting the Scene and Gathering Evidence
Properly documenting the scene and gathering key evidence is essential after a slip and fall case. You should take photographs of the hazards that caused your injury, such as a wet floor, uneven stairs, or loose railing. These pictures are important because they may be the only evidence that the hazard existed if the property owner fixes it after your fall.
You should also collect the names and contact information of eyewitnesses so your lawyer can follow up with them for their statements. These witnesses may corroborate your story or provide additional information that strengthens your case, such as if they previously reported the hazard to the property owner.
Your lawyer can help you gather additional evidence later on. For example, a security camera may have captured your slip and fall, and your lawyer can seek access to the footage to strengthen your case.
Seeking Immediate Medical Attention and Follow-Up Care
Seeking immediate medical attention can reduce the long-term impact of your injuries and show the insurance company that you took your injuries seriously. You should follow up with your medical care until you fully recover or have reached maximum medical improvement (MMI). MMI is the point at which further treatment is not expected to result in additional recovery.
Once you reach MMI, it will be easier for your lawyer to calculate your future medical expenses, as complications are less likely.
Consulting a Slip and Fall Injury Lawyer: What to Bring to the First Meeting
During your initial consultation with a slip and fall injury lawyer, you should bring all the evidence and documentation you have regarding your case so the lawyer can review them. This includes bringing things like:
- Your medical records relating to the injury
- Photographs of the property hazard that caused your slip and fall
- Copies of accident reports filed by the property owner or police
- Witness information
- Any correspondence you received from the property owner’s insurance company
Contact Ted A. Greve & Associates Today
If you suffered injuries in a slip and fall accident, contact the experienced Concord personal injury lawyers of Ted A. Greve & Associates for a free consultation. Our lawyers will review the accident details, explain your options for holding the property owner liable for your damages, and answer any other questions you have about your case.
