What Should I Do If I Am Injured During the COVID-19 (Coronavirus) Pandemic?
The COVID-19 (coronavirus) pandemic has led to the temporary closure of schools and non-essential businesses in Virginia. As of April 14th, 2020, the Virginia Department of Health reports that there are 6,171 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in the Commonwealth. Sadly, many more cases are expected to emerge in the coming weeks.
Although Virginia is under a statewide ‘Stay At Home’ order, many essential activities must go on to keep society functional. Accidents can occur—and Virginians need to know how to protect their safety and legal rights if one does. Here, our Richmond personal injury attorneys explain what you should do if you or your loved one suffers a serious injury during the coronavirus outbreak.
- Seek Professional Medical Attention
Serious injuries should always be evaluated by a qualified physician. The COVID-19 outbreak has not changed this basic fact: You need to see a doctor as soon as possible after an accident, not only to protect your well-being, but also to preserve your ability to bring a successful personal injury claim.
It is entirely understandable to be worried about the risk of seeking medical attention during the pandemic. Please know that there are still plenty of medical resources available in Central Virginia. Do not be dissuaded from seeking the emergency care or medical attention that you need. Medical professionals are prepared to offer safe treatment for non-COVID related injuries and illnesses.
- Secure Any Information/Evidence―But Maintain Social Distancing
Following a major accident, it is important to do what you can to secure relevant evidence. The more documentation you have, the easier it will be to bring a winning legal claim. As an example, if you are involved in a car accident in Richmond, you should still exchange information with other parties, take pictures of the collision, and report the crash to the police.
While COVID-19 has not changed the importance of documenting an accident, it has created some new challenges. To protect yourself from contracting the virus, please maintain as much social distance as you possibly can. As explained by Johns Hopkins Medicine, social distancing and sanitizing are the keys to stopping the spread of the coronavirus—both on an individual level and a community level. When dealing with other people, it is recommended that you wear a mask, wear gloves, use hand sanitizer, and keep six feet apart from other people.
- Schedule a Remote Consultation With a Personal Injury Attorney
The list of things that have been disrupted by COVID-19 is seemingly endless. However, the legal claims process is still moving forward. Virginia has not paused the statute of limitations for personal injury lawsuits. You do not have to wait until the epidemic is over to get started with your claim.
While physical locations of nonessential businesses are temporarily closed, law firms can still work remotely. At Bain Sheldon, our Richmond personal injury attorneys are prepared to work with you over the phone or through a teleconference. We are fully operational during the coronavirus pandemic and our legal team is ready to take action to help you recover financial compensation.
Call Our Richmond, VA Personal Injury Lawyers For Help
At Bain Sheldon, our Virginia personal injury attorneys provide aggressive, results-driven representation to clients. We will protect your rights and help you hold negligent defendants and insurers accountable. If you were hurt in an accident during the COVID-19 pandemic, contact us now for a free, strictly confidential remote consultation. With an office location in Richmond, we represent drivers throughout Central Virginia, including in Petersburg, Glen Allen, Mechanicsville, Henrico, Chesterfield, Hanover, Goochland, New Kent, Dinwiddie, Hopewell, Colonial Heights, Powhatan, Prince George and Ashland.
