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334-333-3333Almost every aspect of society has been affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. Personal injury claims are already challenging to deal with so you may be worried about it will also have an impact on this. Many entities in Alabama have altered their operations including hospitals, doctors’ offices, insurance companies, and the court system. Given how rapidly things are changing, you should work closely with your Montgomery personal injury attorney to ensure your case moves as quickly as it can. However, this blog post will look at some of the ways in which your personal injury claim may be affected.
Whether you were involved in a car accident or you slipped and fell, you need to get prompt medical attention. Not only is this important for your health, but it helps to protect your right to seek compensation via a personal injury claim or lawsuit. You’ll need evidence of your diagnosis, prognosis, and medical costs if you want to seek fair compensation.
Unfortunately, the coronavirus presents two challenges in this regard. Firstly, some elective procedures may be pushed back so healthcare professionals can focus on coronavirus patients. Secondly, many people who should seek medical attention are afraid that they’ll be exposed to COVID-19 if they go to a doctor’s office or hospital.
There’s not much you can do if your treatment is delayed. However, if you’re worried about the safety of a healthcare facility, you should call ahead and ask about the protocols. Another option is to call your primary care physician and seek their guidance. As a general practice, healthcare facilities are working hard to keep everyone safe. COVID-19 patients are separated from other people. Also, masks should be worn by staff and patients, social distancing should be in place, and sanitization should be stepped up.
You shouldn’t delay seeking essential treatment if you’ve been injured. The risk of developing COVID-19 should be minimal in a healthcare facility. You’ll be worse off if your injuries go untreated since you may not recover as quickly or fully as you otherwise would.
Insurance companies, like many other businesses, are operating in a tougher environment. Therefore, they are even more concerned with limiting their expenditure. If they don’t deny your claim, they’ll likely pressure you into accepting a quick, low settlement. Since court proceedings are delayed, they know you won’t want to wait an extraordinarily long time for a hearing.
They also know that you may be suffering financial difficulties because of COVID-19 and your injury may have made it worse. Many victims will accept whatever the insurance company offers because even a low sum is better than no money at all. However, you shouldn’t give up so easily. If you want to get maximum compensation, you need to hire an Alabama personal injury lawyer with a successful track record.
If you suffer an injury because of someone else’s negligence, you typically have two years to file a lawsuit. Usually, if you miss the deadline, the other party will ask the court to throw out the case and the court would agree. Even though two years may seem like a long time, it can pass quickly, and lawyers need time to build a strong case. With the civil courts experiencing delays, there will be a backlog of cases when things open up more.
Many victims wonder if this means they will have more time to file their lawsuits. While this is possible, there is no guarantee that this will happen and you shouldn’t take chances. As was the case pre-COVID-19, you should contact an attorney at the earliest possible opportunity so they can investigate your case. It’s always best to begin the process when evidence is fresh. When you have an attorney, you’ll be informed and updated about all the deadlines that apply to your case.
If you suffered an injury as a result of someone else’s actions, our Alabama personal injury lawyers are here to help. Despite all the challenges posed by COVID-19, we are still helping victims get the compensation they deserve. Even if it’s a little harder to get medical treatment or the insurance companies are playing hardball, we’ll represent your interests. Call us today to schedule a free consultation and get an expert opinion on your case. If you choose to hire us, we’ll fight for you to recover your losses so you can begin to move on with your life.
