Have you suffered a slip and fall accident in Florida? If so, you may be wondering what to do next. After all, you are probably wondering why this happened, whether you have suffered any injuries, and how you can make sure you recover as quickly as possible. Fortunately, you do not have to go through this alone. There are always professionals who are willing to lend a helping hand to those in need.

With this in mind, what are some of the most important steps you need to follow? Take a look at the information below, and remember to reach out to a trained legal professional if you have any questions or concerns.

Take a Few Pictures of the Area

First, you need to figure out what caused your fall. If you are not able to figure this out immediately, do not despair. Take a few pictures of the area. A professional may be able to look at your photos and figure out what happened. Furthermore, the circumstances of the area could change over time. You need to remember what the area looked like when you had your accident. One of the best ways to do that is with photographs.

In addition, you need to take pictures of your injuries. People need to see what your injuries looked like immediately after the accident. Then, they need to see your injuries heal over time. Photos are a great way to document this as well.

Talk To Anyone Who Witnessed the Fall

Next, if possible, you need to talk to people who witnessed the fall. They may be able to explain to you what happened. Even though you were the one who fell, you may not realize exactly what happened. Someone else may have a different angle, and they may be able to explain what happened.

If possible, you should collect their contact information as well. You may have questions about what happened later, and you need to be able to talk to the people who were there. This is particularly important if there are any discrepancies related to accounts of the accident. That way, it is possible to figure out exactly what happened.

Report the Accident to the Relevant Authorities

You should also contact the individuals who are responsible for the building to let them know what happened. They may not know someone had an accident unless you tell them. They may not even be aware that there could be a trip hazard present.

It is important to make sure this does not happen to someone else. You should reach out to the manager of the building, the owner of that specific location, or even the security team downstairs. If they know someone had an accident there, they may put up signs to prevent someone else from falling. They will also need to take steps to clean up the area so someone else doesn't suffer the same accident.

Always Seek Medical Care

No matter how well you may feel after an accident, you always need to seek medical care. Sometimes, injuries do not lead to immediate symptoms; however, they can get worse over time. You need to prevent complications from happening, so you should seek medical care as quickly as possible.

There are a few common injuries people suffer in a slip and fall accident. These include:

• Broken Wrist: When someone falls, they usually extend their arms to brace themselves. Even though this may protect your chest and torso, it can also expose you to a fracture of the radius or the ulna.
• Concussion: Sometimes, people slip and fall backward, striking the back of their heads on the floor. This can lead to a concussion, a cerebral contusion, or even a traumatic brain injury. Sometimes, these injuries could even require a visit to the emergency room.
• Back Injury: In a slip and fall accident, you may also suffer a back injury. For example, you may suffer a herniated disc. Or, you may suffer a compression fracture. You could also suffer whiplash in a slip and fall accident.

You should always see a doctor following a slip and fall accident. Sometimes, you may require surgery to address some of these injuries. If you see a doctor, you can also have your injuries documented. This may be helpful if you need to support your case down the road.

Write Down Everything

You should write down everything that happened at the time of the accident. That way, it is fresh in your mind. If you take pictures of the accident scene, you can put them in a journal. This could be an electronic journal on your computer, or you may want to print them out and put them in a notebook. That way, if you need to refer to the information later, you know you have it.

You should also write down how you are feeling as the days go on. Your injuries could get better over time, or you could develop complications. If you struck your head on the floor, you may have issues recalling certain events. If you have a journal that documents everything, this will be less of an issue.

Save Your Belongings

You should preserve all of your belongings from the day of the accident. You need to remember what clothes you are wearing, so you should put them in a bag to preserve them in that specific state. You should also avoid washing your shoes. If you slipped and fell on something, the residue of that specific substance could be on your shoes. This might need to be tested later.

It is important for you to preserve your belongings because this could serve as evidence if you need to take your case to court with the help of an attorney.

Reach Out to a Trained Slip and Fall Attorney

Finally, even if you feel like you are fine, you should always reach out to a trained legal professional to discuss your options. A slip and fall accident can be particularly expensive, especially if you have to spend time in the hospital. If you have to take time off work, you may lose income as well. If the accident was not your fault, you should not have to bear the burden of these expenses on your own. That is where a slip and fall attorney in Florida can help you.

At Vasilaros Wagner, we provide you with access to an experienced personal injury team that can represent your rights following a slip and fall accident. Contact us today to learn more about how we can help you.