Your immediate actions are critical. First, seek medical attention, even for seemingly minor injuries, to create a medical record. Report the incident to the property manager or owner and ensure an official report is filed. Document the scene thoroughly with photos and videos, capturing the hazard and your surroundings. Collect contact information from any witnesses. Do not give detailed statements or sign anything from the property owner’s insurance company without legal advice.

Responsibility often depends on who controlled the hazard and the lease terms. Generally, landlords are responsible for injuries caused by defects they were obligated to repair or in common areas they control, like stairwells or parking lots. Tenants are typically responsible for hazards they create or areas under their exclusive control, like a cluttered living room. The injured person must prove the responsible party knew or should have known about the dangerous condition.

Your claim will be handled through your own policy’s Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist (UM/UIM) coverage, if you have it. This is optional in some states but highly recommended. It covers your vehicle repairs and medical bills when the at-fault driver has no insurance or insufficient coverage. If you only have basic liability insurance, you likely cannot make a UM claim. In that case, you may need to use your collision coverage for repairs (subject to your deductible) or pursue the driver personally, which is often difficult.