Montgomery County Slip & Fall Lawyers

What to Do if You're Injured on Someone Else's Property in Montgomery County

While the law sets standards for premises liability, you may still not have the right to claim compensation for your injuries. For example, if you were trespassing or committing a criminal act, you cannot sue for damages. However, if you had the legal right to be on the property and you can show that the property owner was negligent, you may be able to pursue compensation with help from an experienced premises liability lawyer in Montgomery County.

After an injury on someone else's property in Montgomery County, every detail can affect the outcome of your case. Pennsylvania's premises liability laws set specific duties for property owners, whether the location is a local business, governmental facility, or private home. These duties vary depending on your legal status as an invitee, licensee, or trespasser. If you visit a property for business or social reasons, your rights are usually strongest. Still, you must show the property owner failed to fix hazards they knew or should have known about. Careful, targeted actions after your accident can make a difference when negotiating with insurance companies or presenting your case in the Montgomery County Court of Common Pleas.

• Document the scene: Use your phone or a camera to capture the hazardous condition and surrounding area from multiple angles before anything can be changed or repaired.
• Seek immediate medical attention: Even if injuries seem minor, having a medical professional in Montgomery County evaluate you can create important records for your claim.
• Identify all witnesses: Get contact information from anyone who saw the accident or was present just before or after it happened.
• Keep copies of all documents: Save your medical bills, correspondence with property owners and insurers, and any incident reports from law enforcement or property management.
• Contact a premises liability attorney Montgomery County: A legal advisor can help protect your rights and prevent mistakes that could affect your compensation.

Before you call a personal injury attorney for help with your case, there are certain steps you should take immediately after the accident to build the strongest case possible.

Collect Evidence at the Scene

Immediately after the accident, start collecting evidence. Take photographs of the area where your accident happened. Capture close-up pictures of anything that contributed to the accident, such as a wet floor, a hole in the ground, or a damaged handrail. Visual documentation can go a long way toward building your case, so gather as much evidence as you can.

Gather Contact Information

You can help your attorney build your case by collecting the names, addresses, and phone numbers of any witnesses. Additionally, collect the same contact information for the property owner and obtain their insurance details.

These details will help you and your attorney file a claim more efficiently. If your case goes to trial, having information about witnesses in advance will make the process smoother.

Ask for a Copy of the Police Report

When the police arrive to investigate the accident, they may also take photos and interview those involved. Their official report will outline both sides of the story. You should request a copy to ensure your statements are accurate, and so your attorney can review what the property owner said about the accident.

Reviewing the police report helps your attorney and provides an objective, third-party viewpoint that may uncover details you missed. It acts as a grounding document, aligning your story with the facts and strengthening your legal strategy.

The report makes it easier to prepare for your claim or a civil lawsuit by helping you see the other side's possible defense.

Seek Medical Attention

Whether you feel injured or not, get a medical evaluation as soon as possible. While some injuries, like a broken wrist or sprained ankle, may be immediately obvious, other injuries take more time to show symptoms. Brain injuries, neck injuries, and spine damage are serious conditions that sometimes reveal themselves hours or days later. A medical exam may identify issues before you notice them yourself.

If you wait to get a medical examination or treatment, insurance companies and courts may view your claim unfavorably. Sometimes people delay treatment to try to maximize their settlement, but the law calls this contributory negligence, which can negatively affect your case. If the defense can prove your contributory negligence in court, you may receive less compensation or, in some cases, have your case dismissed.

Contact an Attorney

Once you've had a medical evaluation and begun treatment, think about how you want to proceed with your case. Shortly after the accident, someone from the property owner's insurance company may contact you. They may offer a quick settlement, but accepting it means you give up your right to pursue further compensation.

While a quick settlement might sound appealing, it often won't cover all of your damages. Insurance companies generally try to minimize payouts by offering a settlement before the full extent of your injuries and future treatment needs is known.

Consulting with an attorney ensures you receive advice tailored to your specific situation, in line with current laws and similar cases. Our goal is to protect your rights and maximize your opportunity for recovery through thorough case evaluation and a thoughtful legal strategy.