What to do after a slip and fall on ice

A slip and fall on snow and ice might not be your fault, but it does have the potential to change your life significantly. If you don’t take action promptly to get appropriate medical attention and to consult with an experienced attorney, you may never be able to fully recover from the consequences of such an injury.

If you have already sustained an injury in an accident on ice and snow, it’s normal to feel shocked or confused. You may not even realize the full extent of your injuries until sometime later when you have had the opportunity to undergo medical treatment and diagnostic testing.

If you find yourself in this situation, there are three critical steps that you need to follow, even if you are not yet sure of the extent of your injuries or whether or not someone else is responsible for them. These steps include:

• Reporting the accident: While vehicle damage in a car accident makes it easy to tell that something has happened, a slip and fall on snow or ice might leave no trace and can even lure you into thinking that you are perfectly fine. However, some of the most common injuries associated with snow and ice fall accidents can be severe, like a traumatic brain injury or non-displaced fractures. You might not even notice these symptoms immediately so it’s well worth the effort to go to the hospital and get checked out.
• Collect evidence: You are only eligible to pursue a legal claim in a slip and fall injury if someone else is at fault for the accident. Some examples could be a negligent property owner or someone who was supposed to clear snow from the area. Although icy surfaces and snow buildups are temporary, these are dangerous safety issues. You can’t come back even later the same day and expect them to be in the same condition. For this reason, you need to collect the evidence at the scene of the accident including taking pictures and obtaining names and statements from any possible witnesses.
• Get medical attention: The only way to tell whether or not your injuries are severe is to seek medical attention immediately if you are injured. Waiting to see a doctor can result in a worsening of your injuries and can also call into question the existence or severity of your injuries, so if you are injured it is imperative that you seek medical attention as soon as possible.

If you or someone you know has already been injured in a slip and fall accident because of negligent property management regarding snow and ice, you need to consult with an attorney immediately. Our experienced Jersey City NJ Accident Attorney at Team Law represent those who have suffered injuries because of premises liability negligence. Contact us today at 800-832-6529.

The articles on this blog are for informative purposes only and are no substitute for legal advice or an attorney/client relationship. If you are seeking legal advice, please contact our law firm directly.