What Should I Do After a Slip-and-Fall Accident in North Carolina?

If you have had a slip-and-fall accident in North Carolina, you need to seek medical help right away. Conditions such as internal bleeding or concussions may not be immediately apparent and can worsen quickly. Immediate medical care can provide the treatment you need and identify hidden injuries. 

Our team at The Law Offices of John Drew Warlick, P.A., can explain why each step is important for building your case.

What Are the Steps to Take After a Slip-and-Fall Accident in North Carolina?

Knowing what to do after a slip-and-fall accident is crucial and can help protect your rights. You should seek medical attention right away. If you didn’t require emergency medical care, you should still seek a prompt medical evaluation and take the following steps at the scene of the slip-and-fall accident:

• Gather evidence at the scene — One of the biggest challenges in personal injury claims is proving fault. To do so, you must have evidence of negligence that links the defendant to the accident and your injuries. For this reason, one of the first things you should do after an accident, if you can, is gather evidence. This process involves:
  • Taking pictures of the hazard or unsafe condition that caused your slip-and-fall accident.
  • Recording videos of the area to demonstrate the dangers and where your accident occurred.
  • Get witnesses’ names and contact information.

The pictures you take should show the factors that led to the incident, including:

• • A loose stair rail
  • Broken or lifted flooring
  • Liquid on the floor
  • Broken stairs
  • Cluttered walkways
  • Lack of proper maintenance
  • Exposed electrical cords
  • Inadequate lighting over uneven ground surfaces.

The more details you can document, the stronger your premises liability case may be.

• Follow through with medical treatment and rehab — When you sought medical attention for your injuries after the accident, you may have been diagnosed with conditions that require ongoing care, such as:
  • Major muscle strains or torn ligaments
  • Whiplash
  • Concussions
  • Internal injuries.

A health care professional can examine you, diagnose your injuries, and initiate treatment. It is essential to follow your doctor’s treatment plan. You should attend all rehab sessions and follow-up appointments. This helps you heal while also creating a medical record that links your injuries to the accident, which is important for any legal claims.

• Keep a pain journal — Write down how you feel every day, including pain levels, emotional struggles, and any activities you can’t do because of your injury. A pain journal can be a powerful way to show how the accident has affected your daily life. It can make a big difference when explaining your experience to an insurance company or court.
• Save all related documents — Keep copies of all documents related to your accident and injuries, which may include:
  • Medical bills from doctors and hospitals
  • Records of medical treatment
  • Prescriptions you receive
  • Receipts for any mobility aids
  • Receipts for the costs of transportation to appointments.

These documents help show the financial toll the accident has taken on you. Having everything organized can save you headaches down the road.

• Avoid posting on social media — It may be tempting to share the details of your slip-and-fall accident with your friends online. However, these posts or photos can be misinterpreted by insurance adjusters and used against you to minimize your injury claim. For example, if you post a photo at a family gathering, an insurance adjuster might argue that your injuries are not as severe as you claim. Staying off social media while your claim is pending is a simple way to protect your case.

What Do You Have to Prove in a North Carolina Slip and Fall Case?

To pursue a claim, you will need to prove that the property owner’s negligence caused your injuries. This involves demonstrating that:

• A dangerous condition existed on the property.
• The property owner was aware of the hazard or should have been aware of something dangerous on their property.
• The property owner did not address the property hazard or warn adequately about it.
• The dangerous condition directly caused your injury.

Examples of negligence that often lead to slip-and-fall accidents include:

• Property owners not repairing broken stairs
• Workers or managers failing to clean up spills
• Property owners/managers failing to post warning signs in hazardous areas.

What If I Am Partly to Blame for the Accident?

In North Carolina, the law says that if you are partly at fault for a personal injury accident, you won’t be eligible to pursue any money for your injuries. That’s why having an experienced slip-and-fall accident lawyer look at the details of your accident is so important. Take advantage of a free consultation. A knowledgeable lawyer can evaluate whether the property owner had a legal duty to take steps to prevent your injury. An attorney can help you understand what to do after a slip-and-fall accident.

Should I Give a Recorded Statement to the Insurance Company?

No. Insurance companies are not on your side. The property owner’s insurance company may use your words against you to deny your claim or reduce the amount of compensation they offer. Let your slip-and-fall accident attorney handle communication with insurers to protect your rights.

How Long Do You Have to File a Slip-and-Fall Accident Lawsuit in North Carolina?

The statute of limitations for personal injury cases in North Carolina allows an injured person three years from the accident date to file a lawsuit against the at-fault party. If you fail to file a lawsuit within this time frame, you may lose your right to seek compensation. For this reason, it is crucial to act quickly by reaching out to an attorney. The sooner you contact an experienced attorney after a serious accident, the better your chances of protecting your rights and pursuing justice.

Contact a North Carolina Slip-and-Fall Accident Lawyer

At The Law Offices of John Drew Warlick, P.A., our team has been standing up for injured people in North Carolina for three generations. Our attorneys have extensive experience with fall cases. Whether your fall injuries occurred due to a lack of proper maintenance or another preventable property injury hazard, our attorneys can help you demand maximum compensation for your medical bills and other losses.

We know that dealing with the impact of a slip-and-fall accident can be challenging. For this reason, we are committed to providing personalized legal assistance and practical legal solutions.

Contact us for a free consultation with an experienced fall lawyer. Let The Law Offices of John Drew Warlick help you protect your rights and hold negligent parties accountable.

Visit Our North Carolina Slip and Fall Accident Law Offices