Trip and Fall Lawyers Representing the Rights of Victims
Trip and falls and slip and falls are sometimes used interchangeably in the personal injury context. However, there are some differences between these two types of accidents, including the way in which injuries occur and the types of injuries that can potentially result. If you have sustained injuries in a trip and fall accident, you may be able to take legal action against the owner or occupier of the property where the accident happened.
The trip and fall injury lawyers at the Hughey Law Firm, who handle cases throughout Myrtle Beach and the surrounding areas, understand that fault and damages can be difficult to prove in these cases. Our experienced team of attorneys may be able to represent you throughout your case and work toward obtaining monetary compensation on your behalf.
Slip and Fall Accidents
Myrtle Beach slip and fall accident cases have certain distinguishing features. The most common causes of slip and fall accidents include wet or slippery surfaces. These accidents may also occur in a restaurant or grocery store where spills are likely.
The manner in which slip and fall accidents usually occur is also unique. In a slip and fall accident, the slippery surface usually causes an accident victim’s foot to move out and then up. This causes the accident victim’s body to move backward and fall to the ground sustaining serious injuries.
In a slip and fall accident, the accident victim’s body makes direct contact with the ground. Consequently, the injuries sustained are oftentimes serious, and in some cases, permanent. Common injuries sustained in Myrtle Beach slip and fall accidents include, but are not limited to:
- Traumatic brain injury (TBI);
- Hip injury;
- Neck and back injuries; and
- Soft tissue injuries.
Trip and Fall Accidents
In contrast to many slip and fall accidents, which occur on wet or slippery surfaces, trip and fall accidents commonly result from objects in the way or ground surfaces, which are uneven or poorly maintained. Trip and fall accidents are more likely to occur outdoors, such as on poorly maintained sidewalks with cracks or concrete spalling.
Unlike most slip and fall accidents where the accident victim’s body rotates backward, a trip and fall accident is more likely to propel the accident victim’s body forward, causing him or her to fall to the ground.
Like slip and falls, trip and fall accidents can result in equally serious injuries and damages. Those injuries may include, but are not limited to:
- Injuries to the front of the head;
- Arm fractures;
- Hand fractures; and
- Elbow or knee fractures.
Both slip and fall accidents and trip and fall accidents can occur out of the blue and totally unexpectedly. Even if you sustain serious injuries in your accident, the property owner’s insurance company will likely look for reasons not to compensate you for your personal injuries and damages. This is because the insurance company’s main goal is to pay out as little money in your case as possible. The trip and fall accident lawyers at the Hughey Law Firm serving Myrtle Beach can help you fight the insurance company every step of the way.
Steps to Take Following a Trip and Fall Accident
If you have been involved in a Myrtle Beach trip and fall accident, there are certain steps you should always take. First, if you are able, you should take plenty of pictures of the area where you fell—either with a regular camera or a cell phone. These pictures may be necessary to help you prove fault (or liability) on the part of the property owner. Specifically, you should focus on capturing any wet spots, spills, uneven surfaces, or other property defects on camera.
In addition to taking plenty of pictures in the area of your fall, you should also make sure that the accident is properly documented. This usually means reporting your fall to a premises manager or supervisor on duty and ensuring that a written incident report is completed. You should also speak to people who witnessed your fall, and if possible, have them fill out a witness statement about what they observed.
In addition to properly documenting your fall and speaking with witnesses, you should seek immediate medical care and treatment if you believe that you were injured in the fall. It is never a bad idea to be examined by a qualified health care professional following a trip and fall accident. Injuries sustained in these accidents are sometimes asymptomatic for several days after the fall occurs.
Seeking initial medical treatment shows that you are being proactive about your case. Moreover, the longer you wait to seek medical treatment following a trip and fall accident, the harder it can be to prove medical causation in your case.
Finally, you should contact a Myrtle Beach trip and fall accident lawyer as soon as possible after sustaining your injuries. A lawyer can undertake a thorough investigation of your case and gather all of the necessary documentation needed to prove fault and damages in your case. That documentation includes incident reports, witness statements, and all related medical treatment records and bills. A lawyer may then be able to file a claim or lawsuit on your behalf for damages.
Contact a Trip and Fall Accident Lawyer Today to Discuss Your Legal Options in Myrtle Beach
Trip and fall accidents, like slip and fall accidents, can result in long-standing personal injuries and damages. If you have sustained injuries as a result of a property owner’s negligence, you may be able to recover money damages in your case. The purpose of money damages in a personal injury case is to make you whole to the greatest extent possible.
The personal injury lawyers at the Hughey Law Firm have settled and litigated hundreds of trip and fall accident cases and are prepared to assist you with your case, including throughout Myrtle Beach and Horry County. Our aggressive litigators know how to take on the insurance company and present your trip and fall case in the best possible light.
To schedule a free consultation and case evaluation with a trip and fall accident lawyer handling cases in Myrtle Beach, please call us today at (843) 881-8644, or contact us online.