What to do if you’re involved in a public place accident

The reality is that sometimes things happen that are impossible to foresee. In this case, and especially when you are involved in an accident in a public place that is of no fault of your own, it is of the utmost importance that you are prepared with what to do next. 

Even more crucial to know is that in such a situation, you are eligible to claim compensation for a personal injury. With this, you will be able to cover any medical bills or other expenses that come as a consequence of an accident. 

Source: https://unsplash.com/photos/uWOBgtCD_m8

As unpleasant as it might be, it is vital to acquire the necessary information in regards to the steps you will need to take in case of an accident and how to claim compensation. The more details you gather, such as statements from witnesses and keeping a record of receipts, the more it will help your case. 

Without further ado, the following article will outline and unfold all the tips and actions you should consider doing if you are involved in a public place accident. 

Seek medical help

First and foremost, it is crucial you seek medical attention. Even in the case of minor injuries, such as falls or trips, you might not realize how severe the consequences are. For this reason, it is essential to call an ambulance or consider going to the emergency room to make sure that the accident hasn’t caused serious injuries. Sometimes it is possible to suffer an affliction that doesn’t seem too urgent to treat, either because you are still in shock from the incident or that it is more of an internal injury rather than a visible one. 

In any case, if you are involved in a public place accident for which you are not responsible, it is crucial you do not let any type of injury untreated immediately. Even if it isn’t necessary to call an ambulance or you don’t want to leave the scene of the accident right away – so you can gather evidence – more often than not, you might be able to find a first aid kit. Whether you have one in your personal car or there is a nearby café, for example, this could be a temporary solution, depending on the severity of your injury.  

Gather evidence

Once you have made sure a medical professional checked your condition and you are certain it isn’t something too severe, and you can safely move, it is imperative you gather as much evidence as possible. This will strengthen your case when you file a compensation claim for an injury you have suffered in a public place and with no fault of your own. Therefore, the following steps are required:

• Taking photographs: This step is vital, as any visual proof will show precisely how and why the accident happened. Try as much as you can to leave the scene intact and capture it. Plus, if necessary, you could take comparison photos, such as if an unusual object was in the way or there were missing curbstones.

• Taking witness statements: It is equally important to gather evidence from the people who witnessed the incident and corroborate how the event unfolded. This will strengthen the case. For this reason, don’t forget to take their contact details, such as names and telephone numbers, to be able to get in touch with them if necessary.

• Writing down other vital details: Depending on the nature of the public place accident, you might need to collect further crucial information, such as registration plate or time and date of when it happened, and even the weather conditions. 

 

Record the accident

As mentioned above, it is of the utmost importance you give as many details as possible. Depending on where the accident has happened, you might want to check if there is an accident record book. Some organizations and companies have this to keep a record in case an unfortunate event happens on their premises. While it is crucial, they have health and safety regulations in place, it is close to impossible to prevent all accidents, so it is recommended they have such an accident book. In this case, you should consider recording your accident and relate the event in detail. When you decide to claim compensation, this will help build your case, as you have followed all the steps necessary in this respect.

Claim compensation

Accidents that take place in a public environment, without you being at fault or the cause of it, can be enough to make you feel frustrated and upset. Even if your injury is minor, such an event can disrupt your life and make you take a leave of absence from work, for example. Not to mention that some accidents can be avoided, as there are cases when the person or organization at fault didn’t take all the precautions necessary to ensure the safety of people. So, slips or other injuries happen due to reckless behavior and a lack of responsibility. Therefore, it is only natural you want to claim compensation for personal injury.

Experts from Compensation Calculator UK state that “public liability claims are particular for public place accidents and not only is the victim eligible to file for a claim, but it is within their right to do so. Such a distressing event can interfere with your life, so receiving compensation for your physical and mental injury can alleviate the stress that comes with financial insecurity.” Hence, if you are the victim of an accident in a public environment, it is recommended you contact a personal injury lawyer for individual advice and help with calculating the amount of compensation you can get.

Keep a record of your receipts and bills

Last but not least, a noteworthy mention is to keep a detailed record of all your receipts and bills. These include hospital bills, receipts of public transportation tickets, or another form of transportation that was used so you can travel back and forth to the hospital. 

What’s more, if the result of the accident is that you are forced to take time off work, your compensation might include this unexpected loss of income. Keeping a record of receipts and bills is crucial when you contact a personal injury lawyer to build the compensation claim case.