People either love or hate the holiday season. Most people look forward to it. They buy presents throughout the year and hide them so they can wrap them and put them under the tree. Families get together to decorate the tree and bake cookies. They put lights up and hang their stockings. The last thing on their mind is someone getting injured. And, that’s the way it should be. Nobody wants to think of negative things this time of year.
Personal injury lawyers in Fort Walton Beach don’t want you do that either. They just want to make sure you’re aware of the risks. If you know what to look out for, the odds of you avoiding these things are much better. You could be doing something as simple as Christmas shopping when someone in a parking lot backs into your car. Or, you could be hanging lights on your front porch and get shocked from an exposed wire. These things happen. And, when they do, someone should have to pay.
If you or your loved are injured this holiday season, there are a few things you need to do. First, you need to get immediate medical attention. The most important thing is that you’re okay. The next thing you need to do is call the police. If you’re involved in a traffic accident, this is critical. Obviously, you’re not going to call the cops if the tree topples down on top of you. There’s nothing the cops can do the help in that kind of situation. But, generally speaking, you do need to document the accident.
If the injury takes place in a public place like the mall or department store, fill out an accident report. Ask to speak to a manager and they can help you do this. They’ll submit the report to their supervisor so they can submit an insurance claim. In order to recover against them, you will have to get medical treatment. One of the biggest mistakes people make is not going to the hospital immediately after their injury. Don’t make that same mistake.
If you get injured at all this holiday season, call our office and schedule your free initial consultation. Our experienced personal injury lawyers will handle your legal claim so you can focus on getting better. Here are some of the personal injuries you could suffer this holiday season. We hope you never need to call but, if you do, know that we’re here for you and your family.
Shopping Lot Car Accidents are Common this Time of Year
If you’ve ever gone grocery shopping on a Saturday afternoon in Fort Walton Beach, you know how crazy a store parking lot can be. With thousands of people crammed into a shopping area, things get hectic. So you can imagine how things get this time of year. On top of the crowds, you have to deal with people’s frustration. They’ve been out fighting with sales people all day and waiting in lines. The last thing they feel like doing is fighting for a parking spot.
Typically, what happens in parking lots around the holidays are rear-end accidents. Or, two people are trying to get the same spot and end up crashing into each other. The good news is that most people aren’t driving too fast when this happens. This means the injuries to both you and your vehicle should be minimal. But, if the other driver was at fault, they should still have to pay. Your personal injury lawyer in Florida will file a claim to get you the compensation you deserve.
This is definitely a situation in which you need to call the cops. Don’t rely on mall security. They’re not equipped to deal with these situations. They also won’t be able to provide you with an actual police report. Your Fort Walton Beach personal injury lawyer will need that report to win your case. This means, no matter how much of a rush you’re in you need to call the cops. They’ll come out and try to figure out who was at fault. They’ll also make sure that both of the drivers have insurance and a valid driver’s license.
You Could Slip and Fall at a Department Store
When you’re out shopping, you have to be careful you don’t suffer a slip and fall. With so many people in the stores, people spill things or knock things off the shelves. There aren’t enough staff in the stores to really keep up with these things. This means you could trip on something and get seriously injured.
Some of the more common injuries associated with a slip and fall include:
- Back injuries – this is the most common type of injury suffered in a fall. The problem is, when you hurt your back, you’ll be totally out of commission. You won’t be able to walk or drive. You’ll probably be out of work for a few weeks or even months. This adds up. The defendant will be liable for these kinds of damages. Your Fort Walton Beach personal injury lawyer will demand that you be compensated for medical bills and lost wages.
- Knee injuries – When you fall, you may brace yourself by falling to your knees. This can cause serious damage to your knees. You could dislocate it or tear a ligament. You may even need knee surgery. This will be painful and will require long-term physical therapy.
- Wrist and Ankle Injuries – While these injuries usually heal over time, that doesn’t mean it won’t impact your life. You’ll need to take it easy while you heal. Your personal injury lawyer in Florida will make sure you’re compensated for this pain and suffering.
Be Careful When Putting Up Christmas Lights
When it comes time to hang Christmas lights, some people forget about the basics. For example, never hang them when it’s raining or snowing. You are dealing with electricity, after all. You could get electrocuted. Or, you could short out your power and end up being left in darkness. You also want to make sure you hang them securely or they can fall off later on. If that happens, your hard work will have gone to waste.
When it comes to hanging Christmas lights, you have to keep safety at the forefront of your mind. There are certain things that can keep you safe when hanging decorations. One of these is that you can’t do it alone. You always want to have someone there with you to make sure you don’t fall. They can also hold a ladder if you need to climb in order to hang your lights.
If you have a medical condition, you could sick or even die while doing something as simple as hanging lights. If you have a heart condition, you could have a stroke or heart attack out there. When it’s cold and the wind is blowing, people with a medical condition should not be hanging on a ladder putting up holiday lights.
You have to make sure you don’t try to hang lights from dangerous heights. If you live in a house with a high roof, you’re better off calling a professional. The risk of you falling and getting seriously injured is just too great. It’s not a good idea to do this yourself. And it’s really important that you have a partner up there with you. This way, at least you can make sure you take care of each other.
If the lights you’re using have some kind of defect, you could also be electrocuted. This is rare, we know. But, if it does happen, you may have a claim against the manufacturer of the lights. Call and speak to one of our experienced personal injury lawyers so they can review your case and see if you have a possible claim for damages.
Contact an Experienced Personal Injury Lawyer in Fort Walton Beach, Florida
If you or your loved one are injured in any sort of accident, you’re going to be angry. The first thing you need to do is make sure you’re okay. Get the medical treatment you need before you worry about suing anyone. However, once you know you’re okay, you need to contact an experienced personal injury lawyer in Fort Walton Beach, Florida.
Your attorney will negotiate with the insurance company on your behalf. They’ll also prepare your case in the event that your claim isn’t paid by the insurance company. They’ll also gather the evidence necessary to prove the defendant was at fault.
Call today and schedule your initial consultation. It’s absolutely free and you pay nothing until you win or settle your case. The defendant is going to have a team of lawyers working for them. You need to have a skilled personal injury attorney working for you too. You shouldn’t be left holding the bag if the accident wasn’t your fault. The defendant needs to be held responsible for their reckless behavior. Your attorney will make sure that happens.