The coronavirus (COVID-19) is a novel, highly infectious respiratory disease. As of mid-April, the Virginia Department of Health has already confirmed nearly 7,000 cases in the Commonwealth. To stop the spread of the virus, Virginia Governor Ralph Northam has declared a state of emergency—closing schools and non essential businesses.
While much of life has been interrupted in our region, essential activities must go on. Even with far less traffic on the roads, accidents are still happening. In this guide, our Virginia Beach car accident attorney highlights four important steps you should take if you are injured in a crash during the COVID-19 public health crisis.
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Following a major collision, injured victims need immediate medical attention. All significant auto accident injuries should be evaluated by a qualified physician. The coronavirus outbreak has not changed this basic fact. Medical attention is crucial. There are still plenty of healthcare resources available in the Hampton Roads region for people who are dealing with non-COVID-related medical issues.
Many public health experts are expressing concerns over this very issue. According to a report from CNBC, doctors around the country are worried that people will not seek necessary medical attention because of coronavirus worries. Please do not avoid seeing the doctor. Safe medical care is available in Virginia. If you or your loved one was seriously hurt in a car accident, get to a doctor right away.
At the scene of a collision, you should exchange information with other parties, take photographs, and secure any other evidence. Additionally, the crash should be reported to state or local law enforcement authorities. To the maximum extent possible, make sure your crash is documented. Once again, this is consistent with how an accident would be handled before the coronavirus outbreak. The same general rules and procedures apply.
Here is the big difference for car accidents that happen during the pandemic: You need to take extra precautions to protect yourself from being exposed to the virus. First and foremost, this means social distancing. It is one of the keys to reducing your risk of getting sick. To help the general public better understand how social distancing works, The New York Times has put together a very enlightening 3-D simulation on the topic. At the accident scene, stay away from non-household members as much as possible. Do not stand right next to strangers. Beyond that, you should also carefully sanitize yourself. If you have to drive during the COVID-19 outbreak, we recommend keeping a mask, gloves, and hand sanitizer in your vehicle.
While much of life has been altered by the coronavirus, the legal claims process still moves forward. Virginia has not put a pause on the statute of limitations for car accidents. You do not have to wait to get your case started and get the financial compensation you deserve. At Barney Injury Law, our Hampton Roads law firm is fully operational during the outbreak. We can conduct a confidential, comprehensive review of your case over the phone or through a teleconferencing program.
At Barney Injury Law, we are dedicated to providing exceptional, results-driven representation. If you or someone you know was injured in a crash during the COVID-19 outbreak, we are ready to help. Remote consultations are available.
To get free, confidential legal guidance, please contact our legal team right away With an office in Virginia Beach, we serve car accident victims throughout the region, including in Norfolk, Newport News, Isle of Wight, Smithfield, and Suffolk.
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