How COVID-19 May Affect You After a Motor Vehicle Accident
Though the early days of the pandemic saw a dramatic reduction in the number of motor vehicles on the roads, accident rates stayed about the same, and the percentage of serious car wrecks actually went up. Whether you have a motor vehicle accident claim from before COVID-19 hit or have been hurt in an accident since the onset of the pandemic, you may wonder what the potential impact will be. Here are some observations.
A Personal Injury Lawsuit May Take Longer to Be Resolved
During the first significant wave of the pandemic, most courthouses were closed to non-essential matters. The limited resources available were dedicated to such pressing controversies as child welfare and criminal matters. As a result, there’s now a substantial backlog of court cases (which may get worse if COVID numbers keep climbing and more shutdowns are ordered). Accordingly, you can expect any hearings in your case to be substantially delayed or even suspended until the coronavirus is under control.
Because of the potential delays, you may want to seriously consider pursuing an out-of-court settlement of your injury claim. You might have to take a little less, but you’ll have more immediate access to financial resources.
Of course, there’s also the risk, if you’re working with an untested or relatively new lawyer or law practice, that you may find yourself unrepresented. Law firms are not immune to the financial impact of the virus. Motor vehicle accident claims are typically handled on a contingency basis, which means your lawyer advances all costs and only recovers them if there’s a verdict or settlement. The pandemic is leaving some practitioners without the resources to fund litigation for their clients.
You May Face More Difficulties Collecting Insurance Benefits
Insurance companies are for-profit businesses that make more money by paying fewer claims and paying less for those claims. Though it’s too early to know the full impact the coronavirus will have on the insurance industry, insurers are receiving numerous COVID-related claims they’ll have to pay. Accordingly, you can expect your insurer to work even harder to find ways to delay, diminish or outright deny your legitimate claim.
You may be unable to make your insurance premium payments because you’ve lost your job. That doesn’t mean, however, that you have no recourse if you’re involved in a motor vehicle accident caused by someone else’s negligence.
You May Have Challenges Getting Necessary Medical Care
Because much of the hospital capacity across the country is filled with COVID patients, any treatment you receive after a motor vehicle accident is likely to be limited to life-saving measures. If you need ongoing treatment, you can expect to wait significantly longer than usual. You also may opt to avoid some treatment in order to minimize your potential exposure to the virus.
Contact the Proven Auto Accident Lawyers at Bailey & Galyen
At the law office of Bailey & Galyen, we offer a free initial consultation to anyone who has suffered injury because of the wrongful acts of others. For an appointment with a proven Texas personal injury attorney, contact us by e-mail or call our offices at 844-402-2992. Our phones are answered 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
