A slip and fall can happen anywhere, and sometimes the resulting injuries can be more than just bumps and bruises. While you might think it was momentary clumsiness, an accident like this may not be your fault.
It’s not your fault that there was a spill on the floor, a railing or stair is broken, or any other myriad problems the property owner should have fixed. If you’ve been left dealing with a number of problems that were not your fault, a slip and fall lawyer in Crawfordsville can help.
The personal injury attorneys of Vaughan & Vaughan are available to assist you in filing a slip and fall lawsuit against the property owner whose negligence caused you harm. We have secured substantial settlements and awards for our injured clients, and we may be able to help you.
Proving Negligence in a Slip and Fall Case
Negligence can occur when someone fails to take reasonable care and, consequently, another person is harmed. In terms of slip and fall cases, a property owner has failed to fulfill their duty of care by not taking reasonable steps to prevent accidents on their premises.
For example, they may have:
- Neglected to clean up spills
- Forgotten to put warning signs around a known hazard
- Failed to fix a broken stair
- Didn’t or remove a hazardous object in a walkway
In order to determine negligence in any slip and fall case, the court will look at various factors, such as how long the dangerous condition had been present before the fall occurred, what the nature of the danger was, and whether or not there were sufficient warnings given about it.
Additionally, other evidence may be needed to prove that the owner’s irresponsible behavior directly led to your injuries. This can include proof that proper safety protocols were not followed or pictures/videos of the area showing how the accident happened.
A slip and fall attorney in Crawfordsville can help you gather the evidence needed to be able to demonstrate negligence for your case to succeed.
Your Case Will Get
The Attention It Deserves
Slip-and-Fall Accident Injuries
“Slip and fall” merely refers to a cause, not a specific type of harm. Falling down can be a little embarrassing, but it’s also possible to sustain a serious injury from slips, trips, and falls. In some circumstances, injuries can be catastrophic or fatal. More commonly, they result in painful injuries that take considerable time and money to treat.
The following are the most frequent injuries caused by trips, slips, and falls:
- Wrist, arm, and hand injuries
- Concussions
- Facial and dental injuries
- Broken bones
- Back injuries
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Hip injuries
- Slipped discs
- Knee injuries
Spinal cord injuries are another serious risk associated with falls. If another person’s negligence led to your injuries, a Crawfordsville slip-and-fall attorney can assist you in bringing a claim against the negligent property owner.
There is no fee
unless you win
The Goal of Insurance Companies Is to Reduce Your Claim
Once in a while, personal injury insurance claims are simple and straightforward to process. However, in many circumstances, the insurer might attempt to contest your payout. Insurance companies commonly use tried-and-true methods of cost reduction. Some of these strategies could be:
- The adjuster may attempt to prove that your injuries already existed before your slip-and-fall accident or that they were made worse by another event.
- After an accident, the company may push a fast settlement offer. Your medical costs and pain and suffering may not be entirely covered by the amount. You won’t be able to claim any future expenditures after accepting this deal.
- If you’ve been hurt, they might use your social media against you or use other tactics to try to catch you doing something you should be restricting or avoiding.
- It’s possible for the defendant to argue that you exaggerated your injuries or that their restrictions are less severe than you claim. A slip and fall accident lawyer in Crawfordsville can help you gather evidence of the severity of your injuries to validate your claim.
- The business may try to prove that you were at fault for your injuries because you trespassed into a forbidden area or because you decided to engage in reckless behavior.
Insurance companies are in business to make a profit, and paying out the full value to every claimant would not be good business. In order to protect your interests, work with a slip and fall accident attorney in Crawfordsville. Your lawyer can defend you against such tactics.
Common Places for Slip and Fall Accidents
Slip and fall injuries are no laughing matter. Anywhere people walk, slip and fall accidents can occur, but some places are more likely to cause serious harm than others. Hotels, retail stores, grocery stores, and malls are all common places where slips and falls can happen.
Grocery Stores
Trips to the grocery store could present an onslaught of obstacles. Slip and fall hazards include wet floors as well as a large array of dropped liquids, obstacles in walkways, and random electrical cords.
Apartment Buildings
Landlords may fail in their duties to maintain safe premises. A broken stair or a dimly lit hallway can lead to slip and fall accidents.
Escalators
Escalators, in particular, can become very dangerous if not kept up with regular maintenance. With hundreds of people passing through each day, escalator steps can start to get worn down or misaligned over time, making footing extremely unstable for unsuspecting travelers.
Elevators
Similarly, elevator shoes can experience faulty mechanics, which can lead to slipping hazards as the door opens and closes regularly throughout the day.
Restaurants and Other Dining Establishments
Restaurants also represent a potential risk when food or beverages spill creating a slippery mess on tiled floors or along carpets.
Your accident might have been brought on by a negligent property owner who was aware of an issue but chose not to fix it, leaving you hurt, out of work, and in a financial bind. This is wrong.
If you’ve fallen on someone else’s property, a slip and fall lawyer in Crawfordsville can investigate the circumstances surrounding your accident and pursue compensation from the responsible parties.
Contact a Personal Injury Law Firm in Crawfordsville to Discuss Your Slip and Fall Accident Today
When you’ve been injured, it can be overwhelming to handle all of the work involved in settling a claim successfully. We understand the stress and uncertainty that can come with a personal injury claim, and our team is committed to helping guide you through the process with clarity and compassion.
The Vaughan and Vaughan injury lawyers will take the time to explain everything in detail and give sound advice on how best to proceed. If you are looking for help getting your case started, don’t hesitate to reach out today. We can evaluate your case and help you understand your options in a free consultation.
