Slip & Fall Accidents: What Physical Evidence should You Keep Track Of?
According to statistics from the National Floor Safety Institute, injuries that result from a slip and fall account for more than eight million emergency room visits each year. In addition to half of all accidental deaths in the home taking place due to a fall, one in every three people who are over the age of 65 are going to experience some type of serious fall at some point in time.
If you are ever in a situation where you slip and fall it is essential that you preserve the evidence around you. If you don’t have this evidence, you are putting yourself at risk of not being able to make your case when it goes to court. The fact is, the burden of proof in a slip and fall case lies with you – or your personal injury attorney in Kansas City. Since our legal team has worked with a number of slip and fall cases in the past, we understand how to preserve evidence and can ensure you know what to keep track of after the accident occurs.
Properly Preserving Evidence after a Slip & Fall Accident
When you make your case to a judge regarding a slip and fall situation requires the proper preservation of all physical evidence related to the case. Some examples of physical evidence include foreign material and debris, as well as your own clothing. Anything else that may be related to the case should be placed (and remain in) plastic bags until the case is concluded.
Why Preserve Your Clothing?
There are several different reasons that a slip and fall may occur. The more evidence you have, the better chances you will have of proving your case successfully. An important item that you need to keep bagged as evidence is the clothing you were wearing, as well as anything else you may have had on when the accident took place.
In addition to your clothing, be sure to keep your shoes preserved, as well. There are a number of slip and fall accidents that take place if the flooring is slippery or wet. When this evidence is bagged, it can help you make your case when it goes to court. Keep in mind, your personal injury attorney in Kansas City is likely going to use your clothing to provide that there was a hazardous situation that resulted in your fall. This means the evidence will need to remain intact, which is why you should never clean or wash the clothes after the accident occurs.
Collecting and Preserving Foreign Material and Debris
Several slip and fall accidents occur in grocery stores, where things are often lying around and easy to trip over. Anything that may be related to the fall needs to be bagged and retained as evidence. If you are unable to take the item with you, then take a picture of it, as well as the surrounding area.
There is no question that a slip and fall accident can result in serious injuries. It is best to consult with a personal injury attorney in Kansas City if you are ever involved in this type of situation. The legal team at The Law Offices of Brian Timothy Meyer are available to help you get the compensation you deserve for the injuries you suffered from a slip and fall accident.
