From the grocery store to a neighbor’s home, accidents can happen just about anywhere. Property owners have at least some legal obligation to keep their premises safe, and if someone is injured due to dangerous conditions or negligence, they may be liable for damages. At Johnson and Taylor, our personal injury attorneys in Salem, OR believe that knowledge is power. Here, we explain what to do when you’ve been hurt on someone else’s property and how our experienced personal injury lawyers can help.
What is Premises Liability?
Premises liability is a legal concept that holds property owners and businesses accountable for injuries that occur on their property due to unsafe conditions. Some examples of premises liability cases include slip and fall accidents caused by wet surfaces, dog bites, and swimming pool injuries. Our personal injury lawyers in Oregon have successfully recovered compensation for clients in many types of premises liability cases. Taking the following steps can help protect your rights and support a potential personal injury claim.
Seek Medical Attention as Soon as Possible
After any accident, your health and well-being should be a top priority. Even if you think your injuries are minor, it’s vital to see a doctor as soon as you can. Conditions like traumatic brain injury, internal injuries, and neck and back injuries don’t always show symptoms right away.
If you’re seriously injured, call 911. Going to the emergency room or urgent care helps to ensure you get proper treatment, and medical records provide valuable evidence your personal injury attorney will need if you decide to file a claim. Delaying treatment can harm your case, as insurance companies may contend that your injury isn’t that serious or wasn’t caused by the accident.
Gather Evidence
If you’re able, take photos or videos of the area where you were injured and of dangerous conditions such as poor lighting, broken handrails, loose rugs, or wet floors. Take pictures of your injuries as well. It’s also absolutely essential to gather contact information from anyone who saw the accident happen. Make sure to keep any physical evidence, like damaged or bloody clothing. This is also vital if you were the victim of a dog bite or attack. If there is any video of the incident, do all you can to get a copy.
Report the Incident
Report the accident to the person responsible for the business or property immediately. This could be the property owner, proprietor of a business, manager, or homeowner. If you’re hurt at a business or on government property, ask for a copy of the incident report immediately after it is created or filed. Although it’s natural to feel self-conscious or apologetic after an accident, avoid saying things like “it was my fault” or “I’m fine,” as these statements can be used against you later. If you were bitten by a dog, inform the owner and file a report with animal control. Reporting the incident creates a record that serves as crucial evidence in a personal injury claim.
Contact a Personal Injury Lawyer
Before speaking to insurance adjusters or company representatives, you can contact our personal injury attorneys in Oregon. While insurance adjusters may seem kind and compassionate, they are not on your side. Your personal injury lawyer will handle all communications and negotiations with insurers and ensure your rights are protected. We know how to gather evidence, such as police reports and witness statements, to build a case that shows the property or business owner’s negligence led to your injury.
Avoid Posting on Social Media
While it can be tempting to tell friends and family what happened, it’s best to avoid speaking to anyone but your personal injury lawyer about your case. Posting photos or updates online while you’re recovering can be used by insurance companies to argue that you’re not as injured as you claim, so we recommend that you do not post anything about the accident, your injuries, your recovery, etc.
How Our Salem Personal Injury Attorneys Can Help
Proving negligence is rarely a straightforward process. If you attempt to file a claim on your own, you may not even get enough compensation to cover your medical bills, let alone damages like lost wages and pain and suffering. Our experienced personal injury lawyers offer candid legal advice you can trust. We provide a realistic estimate of what your claim may be worth and don’t overpromise gigantic settlements like some personal injury law firms do.
Determining Fault and Proving Your Case
Our personal injury attorneys know how to thoroughly investigate your case, identify liable parties, and determine fault. We can help you pursue damages such as:
- Past and future medical costs
- Lost wages
- Loss of earning capacity
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- Loss of enjoyment
- Loss of companionship and consortium
Insurance companies have extensive resources when it comes to protecting their bottom line. We know how to counter their tactics and aggressively negotiate to reach a fair settlement. If a reasonable agreement can’t be reached, we won’t hesitate to take your case to court.
Affordable Legal Representation You Can Depend On
Your personal injury initial consultation is always free, even if we don’t move forward with your case. Our personal injury lawyers work on a contingency fee basis, which means you won’t pay attorneys’ fees unless we get compensation for you.
Our personal injury attorneys serve clients in Salem, Eugene, Bend, the Oregon Coast, Medford, and throughout the state of Oregon. Our experienced, compassionate team also handles cases involving estate planning and probate (statewide) and divorce and family law (Marion, Polk, and Linn Counties). Our Spanish-speaking clients can rely on us to provide the exceptional legal representation they deserve.
Contact Our Personal Injury Lawyers in Salem, OR
At Johnson and Taylor, we care about our clients and their families. We’re dedicated to holding negligent parties accountable and helping you heal and move on with your life after an injury. To schedule a consultation with a personal injury attorney in Salem, OR, contact us or call 503-990-6641 today.