How will the COVID-19 Pandemic Affect Auto Accident Cases?
The coronavirus outbreak has disrupted nearly every area of commerce and government activity to some degree, and this includes the court system. With social distancing guidelines in place, most courts are only conducting emergency hearings by telephone or videoconferencing, with regular hearings being postponed.
While all of this is going on, there will be fewer car crashes as people are stuck in their homes and not going out as much. But even with reduced traffic, auto accidents will still occur, and many of these accidents will result in moderate to severe injuries. For those who get injured in a crash, this brings up the question – “how will the coronavirus pandemic impact my car accident case?”
The Impact of the Coronavirus on Auto Accident Cases
Here are some of the ways the COVID-19 pandemic may affect your car accident claim:
Possible Delays in Medical Treatment
For those who are injured in car crash, the number one priority is to get medical help immediately. At the scene of the crash, the first phone call that should be made is to 911 if there are injuries. In most areas of the country, including Mississippi, emergency rooms still have adequate personnel. Therefore, we do not expect that it will be a problem to call a first responder onto the scene to provide medical help after an auto accident. However, there could be issues for those who need follow-up care.
Again, we all hope that there remains an adequate number of hospital beds and the availability of medical professionals to properly treat accident victims. Thus far, this remains true in Mississippi, and if you require hospitalization, that should not be a problem. That said, some follow-up visits, tests, procedures, and therapies might get put on hold if it is determined that medical resources need to be redirected to treat COVID-19 patients. Accident victims may also be apprehensive about going to a medical facility for fear of catching the virus.
While concern over the virus is understandable, it is very important that you do not let this get in the way of receiving the medical treatment you need to get fully recovered or reach maximum medical improvement. If an appointment has to be delayed and/or rescheduled, there is nothing you can do about that. But be as diligent as possible in keeping the appointments you have and following the recommendations of the medical professionals who are treating you.
This is important not only for your physical health, but also for the compensation you will be eligible for with your legal claim. In order to be fully and fairly compensated, you need to do everything possible to mitigate the effects of your injuries (i.e., get treated, keep your appointments, and follow doctor’s orders) and have medical documentation that shows the full extent of your injuries.
Greater Pressure to Settle your Accident Claim
Because the wheels of justice will be turning more slowly in the short-term, accident injury victims will be under more pressure than ever to settle their claim. Many have lost their jobs because of the pandemic, and they will be motivated to receive a settlement check sooner rather than later. Insurance companies know this as well, and they may try to use this against claimants by offering a settlement that is far lower than what their case is worth.
It is true that you might have to wait a little longer to get paid if you do not accept the first offer that the insurance company gives you, but in most cases, the wait will be well worth it. Getting a fair settlement will require strong negotiating skills, however, especially when the insurance company senses weakness.
We are living in extraordinary times, and this is the time when auto accident victims need a strong advocate by their side who is fighting hard to protect their interests. Going it alone against an insurance company whose goal is to pay you as little as possible is ill-advised under even the best of circumstances. But now more than ever, you need experienced legal counsel in your corner.
Injured in an Auto Accident in Mississippi? Gardner Law Firm is Here to Help
While the courts have slowed down significantly, the Gardner Law Firm is still here representing car accident victims as we have for the last several decades. We are taking all of the precautions and following all of the social distancing guidelines, and we are conducting most of our tasks remotely. The bottom line is we have the technology and resources to continue operating efficiently as we represent our clients.
If you or a loved one suffered injury in a car accident in Gulfport, Pascagoula, Biloxi, Ocean Springs, or anywhere else in southern Mississippi, call our office today at (228) 900-9618 or message us online for a free consultation and case assessment.
