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Accidents happen. From slipping on a wet floor to tripping on a cracked sidewalk or step, all sorts of accidents can lead to a fall at someone else’s home. Injuries from these accidents can be expensive, but fortunately, homeowner’s insurance covers these costs in most cases.

With this in mind, if you fell at a friend’s, neighbor’s or family member’s home, you should not hesitate to speak with a Cape Coral personal injury lawyer about filing a claim. This is a big part of what homeowner’s insurance is for—to make sure friends and loved ones are protected and to ensure that homeowners don’t have to come out of their own pockets when accidents happen unexpectedly.

Filing a Homeowner’s Insurance Claim After an Accident at Someone Else’s House

But, while homeowner’s insurance protects your friend or loved one while providing you with access to much-needed financial compensation, filing a successful claim can be tricky. In fact, recovering the compensation you deserve—and that your friend or loved one has paid to make sure is available—could prove very challenging if you try to handle your situation on your own. Fortunately, you can hire a Cape Coral personal injury lawyer to deal with the insurance company for you, and you can do so at no out-of-pocket cost to anyone involved.

With all of this in mind, below are some steps you should try to take right away if you were injured in a fall at someone else’s house.

1. Seek Medical Treatment for Your Injuries

First and foremost, you should seek medical treatment for your injuries. This is important for protecting your health and your legal rights. If you wait to seek treatment, not only could this prolong your recovery (and potentially lead to unnecessary health complications), but it could also give the homeowner’s insurance company an excuse to blame you for your own losses. While your lawyer may be able to overcome this defense strategy, it is best to avoid unnecessary issues whenever possible.

2. Ask Your Friend, Neighbor or Loved One for His or Her Homeowner’s Insurance Policy Information

If you are comfortable doing so, you should ask your friend, neighbor or loved one for his or her homeowner’s insurance policy information. If you aren’t comfortable for any reason, your lawyer can obtain this information for you. But, in the vast majority of circumstances, there is no reason to be concerned, and your friend, neighbor or loved one will most likely want you to take advantage of the coverage he or she has available.

3. Ask to Take Photos of the Location Where You Fell

You will also want to take photos of the location where you fell—again, assuming that you feel comfortable doing so. When dealing with insurance companies, the more evidence you have, the better. If your friend, neighbor or loved one intends to fix the issue that led to your fall, it will be important for you to have documentation of the issue before any repairs are made.

4. Take Detailed Notes

In addition to taking photos (or keeping any photos you already have), it is also a good idea to take detailed notes. What were you doing when you fell? What caused you to fall? If you were outside, how was the weather at the time of the accident? Who else was there? Did anyone see you fall or offer to help you after the accident? These are all key pieces of information your lawyer will want to know.

5. Get Help From a Cape Coral Personal Injury Lawyer

Finally, you should get help from a Cape Coral personal injury lawyer. The costs of medical care are rising rapidly, and fall-related injuries can lead to other financial and non-financial costs as well. To recover your costs, you will need an experienced lawyer on your side. Your lawyer will be able to calculate your costs (both present and future), deal with the insurance company on your behalf, and work to negotiate an insurance settlement that provides you with financial compensation without imposing any out-of-pocket costs on the homeowner.

Talk to a Cape Coral Personal Injury Lawyer Today

Were you injured in an accident at a friend’s, neighbor’s or family member’s house in Cape Coral? If so, we strongly encourage you to contact us for more information. To discuss filing a homeowner’s insurance claim with attorney Randall L. Spivey at Spivey Law Firm, Personal Injury Attorneys, P.A.  in confidence, please call 239-337-7483 or reach out online today.