If you have been injured on public property, you can viably file a personal injury lawsuit against the owner of that property. Nonetheless, you will have to realize that the burden of proof is solely on you. Many personal injury victims forgo filing a personal injury lawsuit, primarily because they believe that they have no shot of standing up to property owners who may have an established premises liability law firm on their side. This is an erroneous misconception, especially if you can prove liability in your case.
Keep reading to learn how you can prove liability to bend your case in your favor, giving you the best opportunity to receive a fair settlement for your injury.
Provide Video Footage
The first issue of proving liability in a premises liability case is establishing that your injury was directly caused by the negligence of the property owner. In today’s society, more places are installing interior and exterior cameras. Fortunately, if your injury was recorded on these cameras, you will have indisputable evidence to present to the court. Although it’s unlikely that your case will ever go to court, your attorney can present video footage as leverage to coerce the property owner to settle your case.
For this reason, make it your priority to collect any footage on the date of your accident. This type of evidence can effectively serve as the “be all and end all” of your personal injury case.
Present Your Medical Bills
Once you hire an attorney, it’ll be best to present your medical bills and records that prove that you suffered a significant injury. These documents can detail the extent of your injury and provide more bulk to your case. In addition, your medical bills can increase your settlement offer if you have suffered lasting medical complications that were caused by the negligence of the property owner.
Prove That Your Accident Could Have Been Foreseen
Even if you have the evidence to prove that your injury took place, the property owner could attest that they had no way of foreseeing your accident. Finding fault in this claim can prove to be difficult, but it’s certainly not impossible. For example, Terrence visits his local store to buy fresh produce for his family. After scouting the produce aisle, he slips on a wet spot and breaks his ankle.
The store owner determines that the injury was the result of a leak in the roof and that he had no idea that an accident would occur. An effective counterargument could be that the owner should have known about a leak in their roof, especially if the accident happened in the middle of the store.
Remember that public property owners are held to a high standard of care, so you can argue that they should be aware of any surrounding safety hazards.
In conclusion, it can be complicated proving liability in a premises liability case on your own. To maximize your chances of success, consult with a quality personal injury attorney to learn more about how you can file your lawsuit.
