There are multiple factors to consider when trying to find the right slip and fall attorney. From experience to case history, it’s important that you cover all the bases when comparing the options.
The following is a list of qualities that you should consider before investing in finding a personal injury lawyer:
5 Qualities to Look for in a Slip and Fall Attorney
1. Strong negotiation skills
Lawyers must be able to negotiate to get their clients the best settlement possible. Depending on the case, it is essential that the lawyer be able to discuss more than just the number of claims settled and how much money was sent to their clients. The lawyer should be able to discuss everything that is going on with the case, including how it is going in court, any unknown facts that could come up, and other relevant information.
2. Understanding your case
According to Harrispersonalinjury.com, the attorney should thoroughly understand your case before taking a client on and preparing them for court. As a client, you will want the attorney to ensure you are adequately represented and that all your questions and concerns are addressed. The lawyer should be able to give you information about how the case will unfold and what it could look like.
3. Knowledge of the law
The personal injury attorney should have a solid understanding of state and federal law to protect their client’s best interest when receiving quick compensation for their losses due to negligence or accidents. The attorney must know laws regarding slip and fall.
4. Experience with negotiating settlements
Slip and fall lawyers should have experience negotiating settlements to get the best result for their clients. Often the complexity of a case will determine how involved they are in determining the outcome.
5. Willingness to fight for you
It is essential to find a slip and fall lawyer that will fight for you when it comes time to go to court and argue your case in front of a jury. You want an attorney who understands how difficult it can be on your behalf and will fight to help you during this process. It can also help them win your case, so it is essential to research and find one who has shown that they are willing to fight for their clients throughout a trial.
Lawyers are people, too, and after seeing how difficult it can be to find the right one, you want to ensure that you take your time to find an attorney who will fight for you and look after your best interests.
Evidence in a Slip and Fall Claim
When you’re injured in an accident, you may be able to file a personal injury claim to recover damages. But to win your case, you’ll need to prove that the other party’s at fault. Therefore, you’ll need evidence. Many different types of evidence can be used in a slip and fall claim. Below we discuss five of the most common types of evidence.
1. Witness Testimony
Witness testimony is one of the most common pieces of evidence in personal injury claims. A witness can be any person who knows about the accident and its cause, so long as they have not been involved in it. In a slip and fall, witnesses may be employees or bystanders.
To be admissible in court, witnesses must be able to testify about what they saw or heard with reasonable certainty. If their testimony is uncertain or if they are personally involved in the case, it may not be admitted into evidence. Therefore, you should try to find objective witnesses who have no real stake in your case. Your slip and fall attorney will also need to interview each witness and ensure their testimony is consistent with the facts of your case.
2. Photographs/Videos
Photographs and videos are great pieces of evidence because they’re visual. You can use them to show that a particular event occurred or the extent of an injury. For example, if you’ve been injured in a slip and fall and you want to prove that it happened, you can take photos of your injuries.
Photographs and videos may include pictures of the scene. These are important pieces of evidence because they can show the hazard that caused the fall.
3. Medical Records
The medical records of a person injured in an accident are usually considered admissible evidence. These will include any records from physical examinations, X-rays, MRI scans, CT scans and other diagnostic tests performed after the accident.
You may also want to include records from doctors’ visits, hospital stays and other medical services you received due to the accident. Your medical records will help show how your injuries have affected your quality of life.
4. Police Report
A police report or incident report is a detailed account of the incident that led to your injury. It includes any witness statements and a description of the physical evidence at the scene. In some cases, the police officer may have taken photographs or even video footage of the injury scene.
A police report is an important piece of evidence because it can help establish liability in your case. It can also show the court what happened leading up to the slip and fall and how you and the other parties involved were behaving.
5. Expert Witnesses
An expert witness is a person who has special knowledge or experience in a particular field. For example, a medical expert could give testimony regarding the severity of your injuries and how they will impact your ability to earn an income. An economic expert could also play a role in proving the value of past and future damages incurred as a result of the injury.
In most cases, you must have some kind of expert testimony to prove liability on your claim. Experts can also help explain complicated medical evidence to the court and ensure it’s presented correctly.
