About 24.8 million people visit a doctor due to accidental or intentional injuries annually.
Another 24.2 million have to visit an ER. If you recently sustained injuries in a slip and
fall accident, hire a lawyer.
A Myrtle Beach personal injury lawyer can help you fight for compensation.
Not sure if you need a lawyer for your slip and fall case? Read on to discover the top
reasons you should hire an attorney today!
Prove Extent of Injuries
Falls account for over 8 million hospital ER visits, representing the leading cause of
visits (21.3%). Slip and falls account for over 1 million visits (12% of total falls). Hip
fractures are the most serious type of fractures from fall-related accidents.
In fact, hip fractures lead to the greatest health problems and number of deaths.
Before filing a slip and fall claim, you’ll need evidence to prove the extent of your
injuries. If you haven’t already, make sure to visit a doctor. Only a doctor can prove the
extent of your injuries by completing a full examination.
Make an effort to follow-up with your doctor, too. Follow-up appointments will ensure
there’s no gap in your treatment plan. Otherwise, a gap in treatment can make it appear
that your injuries weren’t as severe as you claimed.
Keep track of all documents relevant to your injuries, including:
● Medical bills
● Treatment plans
● X-rays
● Surgical plans
● Medications
● Specialist appointments
Your personal injury lawyer for slip and fall claims will use this evidence to prove the
extent of your injuries. They can also prove how your injuries impacted your mobility or
quality of life. Perhaps your injury kept you out of work, causing lost wages or lost
income.
Without help from a personal injury lawyer, you could struggle to prove the extent of
your injuries. You might not receive the full amount of compensation you’re due.
Without a maximum payout, you might struggle to pay for your medical bills and other
expenses out of pocket.
Your personal injury attorney can help maximize your claim, allowing you to cover these
expenses without worry.
Legal Advice
If you haven’t filed a personal injury claim in the past, the process can feel daunting and
even confusing. For example, you might not know of the laws and procedures involved.
You might miss the statute of limitations when trying to file your claim.
If you miss the deadline, you won’t be able to fight for the compensation you’re rightfully
due.
You might also make a mistake when filing paperwork.
Hiring an experienced personal injury attorney can help you avoid making such costly
mistakes. Instead, you can lean on their experience and expertise. Their experience with
similar cases can help you make informed decisions regarding your case.
They can help you recognize the legal options in front of you, too. Reviewing the pros
and cons of each choice can help you make the best decision in your situation. With
their help, you can feel confident in the legal path you’re taking.
Determine Negligence
In order to maximize your personal injury claim, you’ll need to prove someone was
negligent for your slip and fall. For example, maybe the property manager failed to make
repairs to the flooring. Maybe a cord was left out or a puddle was left unattended.
Your personal injury lawyer will help by gathering evidence necessary to prove your case
and to prove the other party’s negligence.
In some situations, liability isn’t clear. You might struggle to gather the evidence you
need to prove someone’s negligence as well.
An experienced lawyer will have professional contacts they can use to gather the
evidence you need to strengthen your claim.
Calculate Damages
In order to maximize the recovery for your claim, you’ll need to fully take stock of the
damages involved. Many people only consider their medical expenses, though. You
should also calculate:
● Lost wages
● Pain and suffering
● Inability to perform household duties
● Continued medical treatment
● Reduced future earning capacity
● Medical devices (walker, wheelchair, etc.)
● Transportation costs
● Cost of hiring a home helper
● Lost quality of life
For example, you might need to take a lower-paying job after sustaining your injuries.
You might struggle to calculate your pain and suffering, though.
An experienced slip and fall lawyer will reference previous cases to help you calculate
these losses. They can help you consider other damages relevant to your case as well.
Leveraging their experience and expertise will ensure you maximize the payout for your
case.
Negotiate a Settlement
Don’t negotiate a settlement with an insurance company alone. Instead, hire a personal
injury lawyer for slip and fall accidents beforehand. Your lawyer will help you with these
negotiations.
Otherwise, the insurance company might try to take advantage of your injured state. For
example, perhaps you’re on painkillers as you heal from your injury. Many medications
can impact your judgment.
Knowing this, the insurance company might take something you say while under the
influence out of context. Your statement could impact your claim.
In almost every case, it is more likely that the insurance company will make you a
lowball offer. If you’re in a rush to put the case behind you, you might accept without
considering your losses.
Your lawyer will help you avoid these mistakes.
Representation in Court
A judge might not take you seriously if you try to represent yourself in court. Instead,
allow a lawyer to handle your slip and fall case on your behalf.
They’ll understand the laws and procedures involved, allowing you to avoid costly
mistakes.
Peace of Mind
Handling a slip and fall case alone can feel stressful (on top of the stress you’re
experiencing due to your injuries). Hiring an experienced lawyer can take the stress off
your shoulders.
You can feel confident knowing someone has your best interests in mind through each
step of the process. If you ever feel uncertain about a decision, your lawyer can help you
weigh the pros and cons.
Hire a Myrtle Beach Personal Injury Lawyer
Today
Don’t try to handle a slip and fall case alone. Instead, turn to an experienced Myrtle
Beach personal injury lawyer. Leveraging their experience and expertise can make all
the difference to your case.
Want to discuss your case with a member of our team? We’re here to help.
Contact us today to get started.
