How To Win A Slip And Fall Settlement In Michigan: Avoid These Mistakes

To win your Michigan slip and fall settlement, there are certain mistakes you must avoid at all costs. Here are some important tips you can use to avoid making a mistake:

• Listen to your doctor – To help win your slip and fall settlement, getting medical attention right away after a slip and fall accident in Michigan is the most important thing you must do. But listening to your doctor, following his or her advice, and attending all follow-up appointments and specialty visits is also critical for your long-term health and for your lawsuit. If you wait too long to get care, or ignore it altogether, the adjuster will use this mistake as a way to argue that you are not really injured.
• Take pictures and/or videos – It is crucial that you or your companion or a witness take pictures or videos of the scene – especially of the dangerous condition that caused your injuries – immediately after your accident. These photos and videos are generally key evidence in these types of cases, and if you don’t get them right away, you risk having the property owner remove or repair the dangerous condition. In addition, if you have a scar from the accident, you should hire a professional photographer to photograph it for use in your lawsuit.
• Don’t sign anything – Insurance adjusters and defense lawyers are notorious for swooping in before an accident victim is represented by counsel and trying to lull the victim into signing a low-ball settlement, which could save the insurance company hundreds of thousands of dollars and keep you from recovering what your case is really worth. Never sign a settlement agreement, waiver of liability, release, or check without first checking with your attorney.
• Don’t talk about your case – Talking to other people about your Michigan slip and fall case, whether in person or online, can seriously jeopardize the chance of you winning your settlement. Don’t post anything on social media that you wouldn’t want an insurance adjuster to see, and, if possible, set your accounts to private, at least during the pendency of your case. In addition, if you are contacted by an insurance adjuster, defense attorney, or anyone antagonistic to your lawsuit, tell them to speak with your attorney. And remember, what you and your attorney discuss is protected by attorney-client privilege.
• Be honest – Honesty is always the best policy, and that is especially true in any case. Insurance adjusters and defense lawyers are more likely to cooperate with people they like, and juries are more likely to give big awards to people they trust. Getting caught in a lie is the easiest way to destroy your credibility and your chance at winning a maximum slip and fall verdict or settlement in Michigan. Keep in mind that surveillance is common in these lawsuits, and many times you don’t know you’re being surveilled. So, if you are asked about your activity during the pendency of your case, you need to be honest and work with your lawyer to explain any questionable behavior.
• Hire the best attorney – The attorney you choose can be the deciding factor in the success of your lawsuit and the size and speed of your settlement.