Your feet slide out, and just like that, you’re down. Everything hurts, and these falls wreck people worse than they realize. Broken bones happen, head injuries happen, and back problems that never go away can happen.
We get buried in snow from November straight through March sometimes. Sidewalks? They’re basically ice rinks during winter.
Property owners try to keep them clear, but good luck when storms keep coming. The city tracks thousands of these winter slip and fall accidents every year. Ice builds up on steps that landlords never bother to salt. Old buildings around here have steps that are falling apart, and nobody fixes them until someone breaks something.
Take a bad fall? Get an experienced Buffalo slip and fall attorney who knows New York premises liability laws. Property owners will try every trick to avoid paying. Someone who’s handled these cases before helps when bills pile up and insurance companies fight back.
What Should You Do Immediately After a Slip and Fall Accident?
Stay down—that’s how people make injuries worse. Figure out what hurts first, and check if you can move everything. Look for any bleeding or obvious injuries.
Think you’re fine? Go to the hospital anyway. Your body dumps adrenaline after a fall, and that stuff masks pain. What seems like
nothing might be a broken bone or something worse. Hospitals document everything, and that paperwork matters later. Wait too long to see a doctor, and insurance companies will use that against you.
How to Document Your Slip and Fall Injury Claim
Get your phone out and start taking pictures. Get the exact spot where you went down from different angles. Look for water on the floor. Check for cracked concrete or missing railings. Is there ice that should’ve been cleared? That’s important. Take wide shots so you can see the whole area.
Did anyone see what happened? Grab their info before they take off. People who watched you fall can back up your story later. Find whoever runs the place and tell them what happened. Get their name, and ask them to write up an incident report. But don’t sign
anything they hand you.
Why Medical Documentation Matters for Your Claim
Your medical records are basically your proof that the fall caused your injuries. Insurance adjusters dig through everything looking for reasons not to pay. Skip appointments, and they’ll say you must not be that hurt. Go to every doctor visit. Do the physical therapy.
Follow through with everything your doctors recommend.
Save everything—receipts, bills, every piece of paper. Prescriptions, medical equipment, all of it. Can’t work because of your injuries? That counts too. Write down how this changed your life, and document things you can’t do anymore.
Key Takeaways
- Go to the hospital right away. That adrenaline rush hides serious injuries that show up later.
- Document everything while you’re still at the scene. Photos and witness info help your case.
- Stick with your treatment plan completely. Miss appointments, and insurance companies will use that against you.
- Property owners have to keep places safe. New York law says they’re on the hook when they know about hazards and don’t fix them.
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