Whether you’ve fallen at a grocery store or one of Austin’s many excellent restaurants, you’re probably wondering if it’s possible to seek compensation for your injuries. Recovering damages is possible with the help of a slip-and-fall attorney in Austin, but how can you choose the right one for your case?
Below, Dow Law Firm, PLLC discusses five important questions to ask before hiring your slip-and-fall lawyer.
1. How Strong Is My Case?
One of the first questions you should ask is whether the lawyer thinks you have a shot at winning your case. Even the strongest cases have faults; for example, maybe you talked about the accident on social media or didn’t see a doctor until weeks after the fall. The lawyer should be willing to talk honestly about these faults and the likelihood of winning your case.
2. How Much Is My Slip-and-Fall Case Worth?
To answer this question, the lawyer will need to tally up your damages. It’s helpful to bring all supporting documentation with you to your consultation so the lawyer can arrive at an accurate estimate. Bring copies of your medical bills, proof of lost income, health insurance claims, and documentation that proves the value of items damaged in your accident.
Depending on your case, your damages might include:
- Medical expenses related to treating injuries from the accident
- Lost wages from needing to take time off work
- Property damages
- Non-economic damages, such as pain and suffering and loss of enjoyment of life
3. How Do I Prove That the Property Owner Was Negligent?
Under Texas premises liability law, to win your case, a slip-and-fall attorney in Austin must prove that the property owner acted negligently. This involves establishing that the property owner was aware of a hazard on the premises but didn’t do anything to resolve it. Your lawyer must also prove that the property owner’s negligence directly caused your accident and that you suffered compensable damages.
Examples of hazards that a property owner may have failed to fix include:
- Damaged flooring
- Wet and slippery floors
- Poor lighting
- Loose cables
- Torn carpeting
- Cracks in sidewalks
4. Have You Taken Cases Similar to Mine Before?
If the lawyer has never taken a slip-and-fall case before or doesn’t handle this type of case very often, steer clear. You want a lawyer who is deeply familiar with the legal process of slip-and-fall cases in Texas.
Ask the lawyer about their past slip-and-fall cases and the outcomes they achieved for their clients. A good slip-and-fall attorney in Austin will be happy to share.
5. Will You Represent Me in Court?
Slip-and-fall cases don’t usually proceed to court because, much of the time, the property owner’s insurance company will offer you a settlement. But if the settlement isn’t high enough for your liking or the insurance company doesn’t want to offer a settlement at all, you may have no choice but to go to court.
It’s critical to choose an attorney who has plenty of trials under their belt in case this happens to you. Your lawyer should know how to conduct themself in court, gather convincing evidence, question witnesses, and present their findings in front of a jury.
Contact a Slip-and-Fall Attorney in Austin To Start on the Path to Financial Recovery
Your slip-and-fall attorney in Austin can make or break your case, which is why Dow Law Firm, PLLC is the right choice. Our highly experienced personal injury attorneys have what it takes to handle complex slip-and-fall cases, and we will fight for the fairest possible compensation for you. For a consultation with one of our personal injury lawyers, call 512-240-9951 or contact us online.