To avoid court, many insurance companies prefer to attempt to negotiate a claim. If you were injured in a slip and fall injury, there are steps you can take to make it more likely that the insurance company will settle with you.
Talk to Your Doctor
Your medical records can prove to be one of the most invaluable tools at your disposal when you are fighting an insurance company. The information provided in those records by your doctor is often looked at as unbiased and can help push an insurance company to settle.
Before filing your claim, talk to your doctor and ask him or her to clearly note which injuries you suffered that can be solely attributed to the slip and fall. By isolating and pointing out the injuries, your doctor is helping to eliminate the possibility that the insurance company will try to blame past incidents for your injuries.
Note Your Expenses
You have the right to ask for compensation for every expense connected to your slip and fall. For instance, if you can request for reimbursement for fuel needed to drive to see a specialist to treat your injuries. To ensure that the insurance company fully understands exactly why you are asking for the amount you did, keep detailed notes and receipts for all of your expenses.
Keeping accurate notes also helps to show just how much you have gone through as a result of the incident.
Provide Evidence of the Plaintiff's Negligence
One of the best ways to bolster your chances of getting a fair settlement is to show that the property owner, or plaintiff, was fully aware of the dangerous condition that led to your slip and fall. For instance, if you slipped in a slippery substance at a supermarket and the staff had been notified by several customers that the floor needed to be clean, you could rely on the testimony of the other customers to help your case. The customers can help establish that the staff was aware of the substance and did not act within a reasonable time to clean the floor.
You can also rely on video surveillance to help prove your case. Your slip and fall lawyer can help you pinpoint other forms of evidence that can help prove the plaintiff did not act to make the surface safe.
Consult with an experienced slip and fall injury attorney to learn other ways that you improve your chances of settling your case.
