Getting Medical Treatment During Coronavirus Outbreak
The arrival of the Coronavirus in the United States has drastically changed the way we Americans do a lot of things. Included in those changes is the availability of medical treatment for accident-related injuries. If you’ve recently been in an accident and are struggling with deciding how to get medical treatment during the coronavirus outbreak, here are some things to consider:
- Virtual medical appointments. With COVID -19 virus concerns, many people are trying to avoid their doctors’ offices for fear that they might be exposed to a contagious illness. Many doctors offices, however, are working hard to treat their patients over video conferencing. Doctors offices are working with their patients to provide the best treatment options available without risking their patients’ health. Check with your physician’s office to see whether they are conducting video medical appointments.
- Document, document, document. We are telling our clients to keep a daily log of your symptoms (pain, muscle spasms, etc.). Also document any and all virtual medical treatment that you might receive. Be sure to keep records of which provider treated you and what treatment was given. We have attached our pain and suffering journal here to help you keep track!
- Some health insurance companies also offer virtual physician options. Some health insurance companies also offer virtual medical services such as ZocDoc, Teledoc, etc. If all else fails and your physician is not offering virtual medical appointments, you may be able to receive treatment from this type of medical provider. BUT, be sure to check with your lawyer before seeking this type of treatment for injuries related to your accident.
- With all the options for getting virtual medical treatment at this point, you should not delay seeking medical treatment because you are concerned about being exposed to COVID-19. There are many virtual options to allow you to get the treatment you need. Just be sure to keep your lawyer informed about how your are receiving treatment.
How Long Can I Wait to Call a Lawyer?
When you’re injured in an auto accident in Virginia, you must be aware of the statute of limitations which applies in your particular case. The statute of limitations refers to the time you have following an accident to file a lawsuit. In Virginia, this time limit depends upon the circumstances of your accident and injury. The time limitation starts to run on the date of the accident. Filing a claim with an insurance company does not extend or delay the time.
The longer you wait to contact an attorney, the greater the risk that the statute of limitations time limit will expire. If it does, you may lose your right to sue the at-fault party and recover compensation for your injuries. If you’ve been seriously injured and someone else is at fault, you should contact a personal injury attorney at the earliest possible time. Contacting an experienced personal injury lawyer early in your case will help prevent deadlines from expiring and will allow your case to be properly prepared.
To be able to determine whether you have a case, your lawyer needs to thoroughly investigate the details about your accident and injuries. Investigating the accident and collecting information is much easier if it occurs quickly after the accident has happened. A time delay can result in many problems like lost evidence and witnesses who can’t be found.
When you hire a lawyer to handle your car accident claim, he or she will first negotiate with the insurance company to try to settle your claim. If settlement negotiations break down, your attorney will prepare to file a lawsuit and prepare your case for trial. For this reason, it is especially important that you get an experienced lawyer to help with your case, such as one certified through the National Board of Trial Advocacy.
Talk with a Virginia Car Accident Lawyer
If you or a loved one suffered significant injuries in a car accident in Virginia, Ritchie Law Firm is here to help. The experienced, certified attorneys at the Ritchie Law Firm has helped thousands of injured victims and their families recover the compensation they deserve after an accident. Contact us by phone at 800-277-6124 or by using our online contact form.
Ritchie Law Firm is a personal injury law firm devoted to helping individuals who have suffered serious and catastrophic injuries or lost a loved one as a result of someone else’s negligence. Ritchie Law Firm serves all of Virginia, while helping clients in cities and surrounding areas of Harrisonburg, Charlottesville, Staunton, and Winchester also serves clients in West Virginia, including Martinsburg, WV.
