How Often Do Slip and Fall Accidents Occur?
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention:
- Three million older adults in the U.S. are treated in an emergency room for a fall injury.
- Falls are the most common cause of traumatic brain injuries.
- More than 95% of hip fractures are caused by a fall.
- 1 in 5 falls causes a severe injury like a broken bone or head injury.
Slip and falls may seem only to cause minor injuries, but they can have serious consequences. If you or a loved one have been injured in a Hickory slip-and-fall accident, it is important to seek medical attention immediately and then contact a personal injury attorney to discuss your legal options.
Steps To Take After a Slip and Fall Accident in Hickory, North Carolina
If you have been involved in a slip and fall accident in Hickory, North Carolina, there are certain steps you should take to protect your rights. These steps include:
Get Medical Treatment
Many times, injuries from a fall are not immediately apparent. This might happen if you’ve sustained a whiplash injury or a concussion. Even if you’re not sure you’ve been injured, you should visit a hospital, urgent care facility, or primary care physician immediately after a Hickory slip and fall accident. The longer you wait to seek treatment, the more difficult it will be to prove that your injuries were caused by the fall.
Gather Evidence at the Scene
If you can, take pictures and videos of anything that could have caused you to fall. This might include a wet floor, a loose carpet, or a hole in the ground. To maximize the use of your photos and videos, be sure to take them from different angles and distances. You may also want to take pictures of your clothing if it has been ripped or torn in the fall. The insurance company will often want to know what kind of shoes you were wearing at the time of your fall.
Get Witness Information
If you’re in a public place, such as a Publix or Aldi, and someone saw you fall, ask for their name, phone number, and email address. Additionally, if you’re inside or outside the store or business, ask any employees who witnessed the fall for information. You should also ask if there is any surveillance footage of the incident.
Determine Who Owns or Controls the Property
It’s essential to note the exact location where you fell. If you fell in a grocery store, was it in the parking lot, inside the entrance, or in the aisle? Once you have this information, you will need to determine who owns or controls the property.
Don’t Give a Recorded Statement to an Insurance Company
After you have been injured in a Hickory slip and fall accident, an insurance company might try to contact you for a recorded statement. It’s important that you do not give a recorded statement without first consulting with an experienced injury attorney. Anything you say in a recorded statement could be used against you later, particularly if you plan to file a personal injury claim, so it’s best to let your lawyer handle all communications with the insurance company.
Keep a Record of Your Injuries and Treatment
You should keep copies of all medical bills, prescriptions, and records related to your treatment. This will help you document the extent of your injuries and the cost of your medical care. You may also want to keep a journal in which you document how your injuries have affected your daily life.
Contact a Hickory Personal Injury Lawyer
Finally, contact an experienced Hickory personal injury attorney to discuss your legal options. The insurance company for the store where you fell will likely try to minimize the value of your claim or deny it altogether. Having an experienced attorney on your side will level the playing field and give you the best chance of recovering the compensation you deserve.
At The Law Offices of Jason E. Taylor, we have experience handling personal injury claims, including slip and fall accidents. We know what it takes to build a strong case and get our clients the compensation they deserve. We will review your case and answer any questions you have about your legal options. Contact us today for a free consultation.
Common Causes of Slip and Fall Accidents in Hickory, NC
Many different things can cause a slip and fall accident. Some of the most common include:
- Wet or slippery floors
- Loose carpeting
- Holes in the ground
- Uneven or cracked sidewalks
- Poor lighting
- Cluttered floors
If you have been injured in a Hickory slip and fall accident, contact The Law Offices of Jason E. Taylor today for a free consultation.
What Are the Most Common Injuries in Slip and Fall Accidents?
Slip and fall accidents can result in a wide range of injuries, from minor cuts and bruises to broken bones and head injuries. Some of the most common injuries we see in our office include:
- Sprains and strains
- Fractures
- Head injuries
- Back injuries
- Neck injuries
- Knee injuries
- Ankle injuries
These accidents can also result in more serious, life-threatening injuries, such as a traumatic brain injury (TBI) or a spinal cord injury.
Premises Liability Law in Hickory, North Carolina
In North Carolina, premises liability law requires property owners to keep their property reasonably safe. This means that if a property owner knows or should know about a hidden dangerous condition on their property, they must take steps to fix it or warn visitors about it.
If you have been injured in a Hickory slip and fall accident, you may be able to recover compensation by filing a premises liability claim.
To succeed in a premises liability claim, you must show that the property owner knew or should have known about the dangerous condition and failed to take steps to fix it or warn visitors about it, or that the condition was not open and obvious. You must also show that the dangerous condition caused your injuries and that the property owner was on notice of the dangerous condition.
Notice means proving that the property owner knew or should have known about the dangerous condition. This can be difficult as you must be able to show that the dangerous condition was there long enough for the property owner to become aware of the dangerous condition. If the dangerous condition was open and obvious, meaning that a reasonable person would have observed the condition and avoided it, you will likely not be able to recover compensation for your injuries. That’s why it’s essential to contact an experienced Hickory personal injury attorney who can investigate your case and collect evidence to support your claim.
At The Law Offices of Jason E. Taylor, we have over 25 years of experience handling personal injury claims, including premises liability claims. We know what it takes to build a strong case and get our clients the compensation they deserve. Contact us today for a free consultation. We will review your case and answer any questions you have about your legal options.
What Are the Time Limits for Filing a Personal Injury Claim in North Carolina?
In North Carolina, the statute of limitations for most personal injury claims is three years. This means you have three years from the date of your accident to settle a personal injury claim or file a lawsuit against all responsible parties within three years of the occurrence. If you try to file a claim after the statute of limitations has expired, the court will likely dismiss your case.
Don’t wait to contact an attorney if you have been injured in a Hickory slip and fall accident. The sooner you contact an attorney, the sooner they can begin investigating your case and gathering evidence. The statute of limitations in your particular case is one of the first things you should discuss.
What Compensation Can I Recover in a Hickory Slip and Fall Case?
If you are successful in your premises liability claim, you may be able to recover a variety of damages. These can be divided into two categories: economic and non-economic damages.
Economic damages have a specific monetary value, such as medical bills, lost wages, and property damage. Non-economic damages are those that do not have a specific monetary value, such as pain and suffering, emotional distress, and loss of enjoyment of life.
In North Carolina, there is no statutory limit on the amount of economic damages awarded in a personal injury case. There is also no statutory limit on the amount of non-economic damages awarded to someone in an injury claim who has been permanently injured or disfigured.
Types of Slip and Fall Cases We Handle in Hickory, NC
The Law Offices of Jason E. Taylor handles all types of slip and fall cases, including those involving:
- Grocery stores
- Restaurants
- Retail stores
- Hospitals
- Nursing homes
- Apartment complexes
- Hotels/motels
Whether you’ve been injured on someone else’s property, call The Law Offices of Jason E. Taylor lawyers to see if we can help.
Contact Our Hickory Slip and Fall Lawyers Today
If you or a loved one has been injured in a Hickory slip and fall accident, contact The Law Offices of Jason E. Taylor today for a free consultation. We will review your case and answer any questions you have about your legal options. Our experienced personal injury attorneys will fight to get you the compensation you deserve.
