Have you been in a car, motorcycle or truck crash, or even a trip and fall? Are you wondering how shutdowns and stay-at-home orders related to the COVID-19 crisis will affect your claim?
The answers to these questions are evolving on a constant basis, but for now, this is the information we have. It’s important to keep in touch with your medical team and attorney, as the situation could change at any time. And remember, the most important thing you can do right now is to take measures to keep you and your family safe and practice recommended social distancing.
The Cliff Notes: Key Takeaways From This Post
We laid out a guide on personal injury claims during the COVID-19 pandemic; however, here are the key bullet points if you are in a rush:
- If you are in serious pain or were recently injured in a car accident, you can still seek medical treatment, but should use a mask.
- Personal injury attorneys can still be consulted over the phone or via video chat.
- Ongoing pain management like massage therapy, interventional pain management and chiropractic services may not be available for a few months.
- Insurance carriers are mostly operating as usual; however courts have put jury trials on hold and most hearings are by telephone.
- Most attorneys are continuing to work remotely from home, meeting with clients and prioritizing safety.
Getting your car accident injuries treated during COVID-19 pandemic
The COVID-19 pandemic may affect your treatment for a few months. Many doctors and therapists have shut their practices down or recommended that patients not come in for non-urgent symptoms.
During this time, if you are in serious pain or you were recently injured in a car accident, you may be limited to the emergency room and urgent care treatment. If you are seriously injured, use a mask when visiting the ER for treatment. Do not bring family members or friends with you other than a person you need to drive you there and back. That person should remain in the car if possible. Practice good hand washing and change your clothes and shower as soon as you get home from getting emergency treatment.
Remember, you should call your personal injury attorney right away. You can still work with an attorney over the phone and via video chat to get help with your personal injury claim.
When it comes to ongoing pain management like massage therapy, interventional pain management, and chiropractic services, it can be much harder right now to get help. The best we can do is assume that in a month or two, doctors, therapists, and chiropractors will open their practices back up to try to get you some relief.
How are insurance carriers affected by Coronavirus shutdowns?
Most of the insurance carriers’ adjusters have remained at work. Many are working from home. We have seen this cause some delays, but for the most part, a relatively new claim will not be significantly affected.
What does this mean for you? There’s no reason to wait to contact an attorney if you’ve been injured in a car accident. It’s possible to begin and continue a case right now without significant delays.
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How are the courts affected by COVID-19?
This is where we’re seeing more of a significant impact. All jury trials have been put on hold for now. However, most judges are still having hearings by telephone. The majority of our clients’ depositions have been moving forward and mediations have been going on by video conferencing.
That means that your case can potentially have quite a bit of momentum unless it has gone to trial. Your attorney should be able to counsel you through this. There’s no reason to “wait and see” if you’ve been injured in a car accident. You should continue to seek legal help.
Are attorneys still working during COVID-19?
Most attorneys are continuing to work remotely, serving their clients in a way that prioritizes safety for all parties involved.
Our office can meet with you by video if you are quarantined. However, if you would prefer to meet with us in person, we will adhere to the CDC guidelines for distancing and answer your questions.
Long story short? This is an evolving situation. If you have been in a car crash, motorcycle crash or tractor-trailer crash please call for a free consultation. We will help you navigate these unprecedented times and help you recover while prioritizing your safety.
From our family to yours, stay safe.