Savannah’s City Market is a bustling hub for both locals and visitors, celebrated for its vibrant art galleries, diverse dining options, and energetic live music. But with heavy foot traffic and ever-changing conditions, accidents can—and do—happen. Whether due to a slick floor, uneven pavement, or another unexpected hazard, injuries in such a busy space are not uncommon.
If you’ve been hurt while visiting City Market, acting quickly and following the right steps is crucial. Your actions in the moments and days after the incident can significantly impact both your recovery and any potential personal injury claim you may decide to pursue.
Report the Incident Immediately
The first thing to do following an injury-causing accident is to document what took place. Notify someone on-site right away, be they a shop owner, restaurant employee, or another City Market staff member, and report the accident as soon as you can. Request that an incident report be filed and ask for a copy to keep for your records.
If your injury occurred inside a specific business, its management may be responsible for recording any details. Make sure to provide them with specific information, such as the exact location, time, and cause of the accident.
Get Medical Care Promptly
Some injuries, like concussions or internal damage, may not immediately show symptoms. Even if you feel okay at first, visiting a medical provider is vital to ensuring your well-being and to obtain copies of the following documentation:
- Emergency room or urgent care visit summaries
- Receipts and bills for treatment for injuries related to the accident
- Doctor’s notes or referrals
Telling your provider that the injury occurred at City Market will also help link your medical records to the location, which may be necessary if you file a claim.
Gather Evidence While You Can
If you are physically capable, gather as much evidence as possible before leaving the area, including clear photos or video of the following:
- The condition or hazard that caused your injury
- Any visible injuries
- The surrounding area
If witnesses are present, ask for their contact information. You can all use names, phone numbers, or emails if you need to refer to statements later. It’s also a good idea to jot down your notes while the details are fresh in your memory.
Additionally, depending on the extent of your injury, you may also want to keep detailed notes about how it affects your daily life, including any pain it causes, along with whether it has led you to miss work or limited your mobility altogether.
Claims involving premises liability often depend on detailed evidence, so you’ll want to keep all of these items (and your official documents, like medical records) in one place.
Understand Premises Liability in Georgia
Property owners in the state of Georgia are required to maintain their premises in a reasonably safe condition for visitors. When a hazard exists and the owner is aware of it (or should be aware of it) yet fails to fix it or warn others about it, they may be held liable for any resulting injuries.
Each case is different, though. Whether you slipped on a wet floor, tripped on broken pavement, or were hurt in another less common way, the specifics surrounding the injury will determine the options you have available moving forward.
Avoid discussing the incident with insurance companies until you are clear about your rights. Statements that are made too early or without full context can be used against you.
A Serious Injury Deserves Serious Attention
Not all injuries at City Market will need to involve filing a legal claim. Still, if the harm you face is significant (especially if it impacts your ability to work or your overall quality of life), it’s worth exploring the legal options available to you.
Georgia law typically gives you two years from the date of the incident to file a claim, so it’s important to act swiftly. Be sure to reach out to an attorney as soon as possible to ensure you don’t miss any filing deadlines.
Contact the Personal Injury Law Firm of Bowen Painter Injury Lawyers in Savannah for Help Today
For more information, please contact our experienced Savannah personal injury lawyer at Bowen Painter Injury Lawyers to schedule a free initial consultation today. We have a convenient location in Savannah, GA.
We proudly serve Chatham County, Georgia, and its surrounding areas.
Bowen Painter Injury Lawyers
308 Commercial Drive, Suite 100, Savannah, GA 31406
(912) 335-1909
Open 24/7
