Slip, Trip, and falls: Common Accidents in Texas

Slips, trips, and falls are among the most prevalent causes of injuries in Texas. These incidents pose serious risks and can lead to significant harm, including broken bones, traumatic brain injuries, and spinal cord injuries.

Property owners responsible for maintaining areas with heavy foot traffic, like shopping centers, residential complexes, and office spaces, must be held responsible for their negligence when injuries transpire on their premises.

If you’ve suffered a slip, trip, or fall accident in Texas, you could be eligible for compensation. Swiftly securing legal representation is crucial to safeguarding your legal rights.

Steps to take after a slip, trip, and fall in texas

Slips, trips, and falls come under the legal purview of premises liability, encompassing incidents on public or private property due to negligence. Property owners carry a duty of care to ensure safety, necessitating reasonable measures to prevent injuries on their premises. Neglecting this duty puts others at risk and can lead to property owners being held accountable for resulting injuries and damages.

Property owners can’t evade responsibility by outsourcing property management. They retain an unassignable responsibility to maintain property safety. This means they are ultimately accountable for incidents occurring on their premises.

A property owner may be held liable if they have knowledge of hazardous conditions. Whether through actual or constructive notice, they can be held responsible. Actual notice applies when the owner is directly informed about a perilous condition. Constructive notice is a bit less straightforward; it implies that the property owner should have been aware of the dangerous situation, potentially existing for an extended period. For instance, a persistent leak causing slippery surfaces should have been addressed much earlier.

If you’ve suffered a significant slip, trip, and fall accident in Texas, swift action is crucial to safeguard your rights. We strongly advise the following steps:

1. Seek Immediate Medical Attention

Prioritize your health and well-being. Some injuries may not be immediately apparent, so don’t ignore them. Swift medical evaluation is vital for your recovery and for establishing a record of your injuries in case of legal action.

Prompt medical attention also establishes the timing of your injuries, countering any claims that your injuries arose from different causes. Seeking medical help right after the accident is essential for your health and for building a comprehensive record of your injuries.

2. Report the Incident

Regardless of whether the incident occurred on business or residential property, report it to the relevant authority and obtain a written report for documentation.

3. Limit Communication

Minimize communication, avoiding explanations about your fall, admissions of fault, or minimizing injuries. Such statements could undermine the value of your case.

4. Document the Accident

Photograph the scene of the accident, hazardous conditions, and any sustained injuries. Detailed notes about the circumstances, date, time, and your actions before the incident are vital. Do not clean or wash the clothes and shoes worn during the incident, as they could serve as evidence.

5. Gather Witness Information

Collect names, addresses, and phone numbers of potential witnesses. Witnesses can provide valuable evidence if you decide to pursue legal action.

6. Adhere to Medical Appointments and Treatment Plans

Attend all medical appointments and follow recommended treatment plans. Deviating from the prescribed treatment can weaken your case.

7. Consult a Texas Premises Liability Attorney

Discuss your case with a skilled attorney in Texas premises liability laws. Smith Magincalda is dedicated to assisting victims in understanding their rights and legal options. We have the resources to confront insurance companies that hesitate to provide rightful compensation.