Slip and fall accidents are one of the most common accidents that occur when visiting or shopping in a convenience store. Therefore, if you find yourself injured in a slip and fall accident at Sheetz, it is crucial that you know that there are certain steps that you should take. By taking these steps, you may improve your chances of winning the compensation you need and deserve to recover your damages caused by the accident. A premises liability attorney can help you recover compensation.
Six steps you should take after a Sheetz slip and fall accident
The following are six specific steps that you should take immediately following a Sheetz slip and fall accident to ensure that your physical health is taken care of and that your legal rights are protected:
- Seek medical treatment: Many times, victims of slip and fall accidents get up and do not realize how severe their injuries are. The reason for this is likely because the pain and symptoms may be delayed, some injuries may be hidden, or victims are simply too embarrassed or humiliated to pay attention to their bodily injuries. However, no matter how minor you think your injuries are, it is recommended to visit a hospital, urgent care, or your primary care physician’s office as quickly as possible. This will ensure that a licensed medical provider has the opportunity to make note of your symptoms, conduct a thorough medical examination that may be able to identify or find any injuries that you are unaware of, and prevent any further injuries or complications from occurring. Your doctor’s notes and medical records can also be used to show that you were injured in a slip and fall accident and received medical treatment for your injuries.
- Report the accident: When you are physically able to, you should report your slip and fall accident to the store manager or owner of the Sheetz location in which it occurred. You will want to make sure that you know what day and what time the accident happened. The owner or manager may also need other details. For example, they may ask if you know who was working when the accident happened, if anyone was around or with you, where exactly in the Sheetz store the accident took place, whether or not any liquid or signs were on the floor, and more. You may also need to fill out an accident report, which you should agree to do. After filling out the accident form, it is a good idea to ask for a copy of it to have for your records. Remember to never admit any type of fault or take any blame for the accident when speaking to the Sheetz owner or manager.
- Speak to a slip and fall accident lawyer: Next, you will need to get in touch with an attorney who has experience with slip and fall accidents at Sheetz stores. You may think that you have plenty of time to do this, but the reality is that you should start speaking with a lawyer soon after the accident to learn about the legal options that are available to you. Your medical expenses may be piling up, you may be losing a significant amount of income, and you may be in intense and excruciating pain. Therefore, you need a slip and fall accident attorney by your side to provide legal advice, guide you through the entire legal process, and help you obtain compensation to rebuild your life again.
- Collect relevant and convincing evidence: After speaking with a lawyer, you will learn that the goal is to build a strong and convincing argument against Sheetz. In order to successfully do this, you will need to collect relevant evidence that will help you and your attorney prove that Sheetz was negligent, which caused your slip and fall accident. The different types of evidence that may be used to prove your case are photographs, videos, surveillance or store footage, medical records, doctor’s notes, prescriptions, accident reports, witness statements, and more.
- Document the aftermath of the accident: Another important step to take is to document the aftermath of the accident. This means that you should have a journal or notebook in which you can write down and keep track of your expenses, injuries, lost wages, symptoms, thoughts, or feelings that you experience after the accident. You can also write down everything you remember about what happened the day of the accident as well as your recovery afterward. This information may become very useful while speaking and negotiating with insurance companies or even during trial.
- Reach out to witnesses: Lastly, you should try to find any witnesses who can testify about the accident or your injuries and recovery since the accident. If your attorney can obtain video footage that shows a person in the Sheetz store at the time of your accident, they may be able to reach out to them and ask if they would be willing to provide a statement. However, if there were no individuals nearby when your accident occurred, you may be able to ask a family member, friend, neighbor, or caregiver whether they would be willing to provide a statement about your injuries or recovery. This will help back up your story and prove that your life and wellbeing has been seriously impacted by the slip and fall accident.
If you suffered injuries from a slip and fall accident at Sheetz, the Pennsylvania and New Jersey personal injury lawyers at Kwartler Manus, LLC are here to help you. Our team is experienced, skilled, and knowledgeable in these types of cases, and we will do everything we can to hold the liable parties accountable for their negligent actions. Call or contact us online to schedule your free, no-obligation consultation today.