Slip and fall accidents are quite common. They’re so common, in fact, that there’s a quick checklist of things you should do if you are involved with such an accident. Below are the first three steps you should take after a slip and fall injury.

Get Help

Your first goal in the immediate aftermath of a slip and fall accident should be getting medical attention. Slip and falls can be more dangerous than you think, especially as you get older. If you have a significant injury, make sure that someone can take you to the hospital. The first few moments after getting hurt should be spent trying to find medical attention. No matter what else you decide to do, it’s your health that should be the number one priority. Don’t put this off.

Gather Information

Once you’ve got your health taken care of, it’s time to start gathering information. Find someone who can go back to the scene of the accident and take pictures of where you fell. If there were witnesses to the accident, make sure you get their phone numbers. The more information you gather now, the easier your job will be in the future. Remember that time isn’t on your side here, so you’ll want to get evidence gathered as soon as possible. If you can’t do it yourself immediately, make sure that someone you know can get the evidence quickly.

Talk To A Lawyer

Finally, you’ll want to talk to a slip and fall attorney about your legal options. If you have an injury for which compensation is possible, you may have a case. Whether or not you will be successful hinges on a number of options, but you won’t know what you can do until you talk to a lawyer. Remember, talking to an attorney doesn’t necessarily mean that you will go to court or even that you will be suing anyone. You are simply making sure that you have all your bases covered after what might be a major accident. A little preparation can go a long way in these situations.

You have a limited amount of time to deal with a slip and fall injury. Always make sure you take care of your health first and then move on to gathering evidence. A good attorney will let you know if this is a matter you can—or should—pursue legally. With any luck, you’ll find a way to make sure this kind of accident won’t derail your life.