Which Types of Evidence Strengthen a Slip-and-Fall Case?

Even a small trip or slip can lead to significant injuries, but if someone else is at fault, proving your case can be challenging. If you have had an accident in Victorville, CA, hiring a personal injury lawyer as soon as possible is essential. They can help obtain the evidence required to prove your case and ensure that you receive fair compensation according to California law.

What Must Be Proven in a Slip-and-Fall Case?

Slip-and-fall cases in California fall under premises liability law. This means that the property owners are held responsible for any unsafe conditions that injure legal visitors. To successfully claim for compensation, the following must be proven:

• There was a duty of care to you
• There was a breach of the duty 
• You were injured as a direct result of the breach

Any evidence which proves any or all of the above will help to strengthen your case.

What Types of Evidence Can Be Helpful?

It’s better to have too much evidence than not enough, so you should always provide your lawyer with anything that you think may be useful. Your lawyer will be accustomed to sifting through evidence to present the strongest possible case. Examples of some types of evidence often used include:

• Medical practitioner evidence
• Police or ambulance reports
• Witness statements
• Photographs
• Surveillance footage
• Receipts and invoices for expenses incurred
• Proof of loss of wages
• Diary documenting the impact of the injuries
• Maintenance record
• Accident logbook
• Details of any prior complaints

The purpose of this evidence is to show not only that you were injured, but how this happened. Evidence of hazardous conditions can help establish that the property owner was negligent. Historic evidence such as previous complaints or the maintenance record can help demonstrate either that previous accidents have occurred, or that sufficient maintenance was not carried out.

Proving Liability

California follows pure comparative negligence laws, which means your settlement can be reduced if you were partially to blame. The other party may therefore try to establish that you were wholly or partially at fault for your injuries.

You should therefore also provide evidence that proves you didn’t contribute to the accident. This could include surveillance footage that shows you weren’t using your phone while walking and were looking where you were going. You may also want to provide medical evidence to confirm that you have no pre-existing conditions exacerbating any pain and suffering.

Consult a Personal Injury Lawyer

Personal injury law is complex, so it’s vital to have a lawyer with experience in securing a successful outcome. Evidence can be lost as time passes, so hiring an attorney as soon as possible after the accident is crucial. Your attorney will be able to review any evidence you supply and can help gather further evidence to strengthen your case.

We have been proudly serving the High Desert community for more than 30 years, and are confident we can help you achieve a positive result. To get legal advice you can trust, contact the Law Offices of Vondra & Hanna in Victorville, CA for a free, no-obligation consultation today. 

Tags: injury lawyer victorville, personal injury lawyer victorville, personal injury victorville, premises liability lawyer, slip and fall lawyer
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