5 Mistakes That Can Destroy Your New Jersey Slip And Fall Case
When a slip-and-fall accident happens, serious injuries can be sustained. Fortunately, you may be entitled to compensation if you suffered severe injuries in a slip and fall accident due to a property owner’s negligence. However, to increase your chances of recovering the compensation you deserve for your slip and fall accident, you need to avoid making certain common mistakes that people make. The following are five common mistakes you need to avoid making that can destroy your New Jersey slip-and-fall case:
Not Gathering Evidence at the Accident Scene
The success of your slip and fall case relies heavily on your ability to show that a dangerous condition caused your accident and that negligence was involved. So the biggest mistake you can make after a slip-and-fall accident is failing to gather evidence at the accident scene. If you can, take pictures/videos of the dangerous condition that caused your fall and collect witnesses’ names and contact information. Evidence can also include the shoes you were wearing. Maintaining the shoes that you were in can help prove that you were wearing appropriate footwear.
Delaying To Seek Medical Treatment
After suffering injuries in a slip and fall accident, you should seek prompt medical attention. If you do not call emergency medical services to come to the scene, ensure you see your doctor immediately after you leave the accident scene. Do not wait days or weeks to seek medical treatment. If you wait to seek medical treatment, the defense may argue that your injuries are not as severe as you claim. The defense may say that your injuries are not related to the accident.
Waiting Too Long to File a Claim
After suffering injuries in a slip and fall accident because of another party’s negligence, do not wait too long to file a claim. There’s a statute of limitations for slip and fall cases in New Jersey that can forever bar you from filing a claim if the deadline is not met. In New Jersey, you generally have two years from the accident date to file a slip and fall claim. If you do not file your NJ slip and fall claim within two years of your accident, you may lose your right to recover compensation.
It is advisable that you file your slip and fall claim as early as possible. Waiting to file a claim can result in evidence being lost or altered. Also, with time, witnesses’ memories get foggy.
Exaggerating Your Claim
Lying to the insurance company about your slip and fall claim can ruin your credibility. At worst, it can result in you being charged with insurance fraud. Do not tell a lie to the insurance company, no matter how small of a lie you think it is. Do not lie about the extent of your losses or the severity of your injuries.
Failing To Hire an Attorney
Another big mistake that can destroy your slip-and-fall case and prevent you from recovering the compensation you deserve is handling your case alone. A skilled personal injury attorney can help evaluate your injuries and damages and negotiate a settlement with the insurance company. An attorney can help fight for you in court in case you are forced to proceed to trial.
Contact Us for Legal Help
If you’ve suffered injuries in a New Jersey slip and fall accident due to another party’s negligence, contact an experienced and dedicated New Jersey personal injury & veteran lawyer at Citizen Soldier Law for legal help.
