What You Should Know About Filing a Car Accident Claim During the COVID-19 Pandemic
Suffering serious injuries in a motor vehicle crash and filing a car accident claim can be complicated regardless of the surrounding circumstances. Given that the COVID-19 emergency has shut down much of Northern Virginia as thousands of people work from home and others find themselves furloughed or unemployed, car accident cases may have complications that would not exist under normal circumstances. Yet just because it may be difficult to see a doctor, or just because an insurance investigation could be delayed, does not mean that you should not move quickly to get started on your case with a car accident attorney in Fairfax, VA.
Even though businesses across Fairfax County are closed, essential workers are still on the roads, and non-essential workers need to travel for food, prescription medications, and other necessities. As such, motor vehicle collisions are still occurring in Northern Virginia. If you or someone you love got hurt in a crash, the personal injury lawyers at Whitestone Young, PC can help. In the meantime, we want to provide you with additional things you should know about filing a car accident claim during the pandemic.
Obtaining Medical Care May Be Complicated
Getting a reasonable settlement offer in a Fairfax car accident lawsuit, or proving that the at-fault driver is responsible in a car accident lawsuit, requires an injured plaintiff to seek initial medical attention and to continue seeing a doctor. However, during the pandemic, obtaining medical care may be more complicated.
While Governor Northam’s Executive Order No. 55 makes clear that seeking medical attention is a reason that Virginia residents should leave their homes during this time, many doctors have shifted to providing care for COVID-19 patients. In addition, visiting a walk-in clinic or other emergency department after a traffic crash could result in unnecessary exposure to the coronavirus. It is extremely important to receive medical attention in some form after an accident. At the very least, you should immediately consult with a healthcare provider through a telemedicine option if you have particular concerns about visiting a healthcare facility in person.
You Could Be Tempted to Accept a Less-Than-Reasonable Settlement Offer
Do not be tempted by a less-than-reasonable settlement offer from an insurance company just because the claims process may be a bit more complicated at this moment in time. We can help you get the compensation you deserve.
Courthouse Postponements Could Affect Your Car Accident Lawsuit
While Fairfax County courts are open for emergency or essential business, many other cases have been postponed, at least through the end of April. It is possible that those postponements will be extended beyond April depending upon the containment of the COVID-19 pandemic. As such, it will be difficult to take the initial steps of filing a car accident lawsuit in a Fairfax County court. However, if you were injured recently in a car accident, your Fairfax auto accident attorney will be able to get started on your claim immediately. Under Virginia law, the statute of limitations for most car accident lawsuits is two years from the date of the accident. As such, if you were injured in a relatively recent collision, we can take the initial steps to get your claim underway and can file your lawsuit with more than enough time when courts are reopened for ordinary business.
What should you do if you were injured in a car accident quite some time ago and you were unsure until now about whether you should file a lawsuit? For example, what if your collision was almost two years ago, and the clock on the statute of limitations will soon run out? Many people who get hurt in traffic accidents wait to contact a lawyer, and they may realize when it is too late that their claim has become time-barred. If you are in this situation, you should get in touch with an aggressive Fairfax car accident attorney as soon as possible so that we can ensure you remain eligible to receive damages through a civil lawsuit.
Contact a Fairfax Personal Injury Attorney
Filing a car accident lawsuit during the coronavirus pandemic will have added complications, but an experienced Fairfax personal injury lawyer can help you through this process. Just because delays may be possible does not mean that you should wait to hire an attorney. The sooner we get started on your claim, the sooner you will be eligible to receive the financial compensation you deserve. Contact Whitestone Young, PC for more information.
