Covid-19 pandemic has heavily affected communities and industries all over the world. These effects are unprecedented and still unfolding. The COVID-19 has also caused a startling pause in the legal sector as well. In this article, we will discuss some of the impacts that COVID-19 has had on legal operations and personal injury lawyers and cases.
Delays in legal proceedings
The closure of courts all over the world and the stalling of evidence gathering will undoubtedly affect Personal injury cases. However, if you have sustained a personal injury, such as a car accident or any case in which you suffered serious damage because of the negligence of someone else, then you are still bound to file a personal injury case, the lockdown will, however, stall your claims and the defendants would be more belligerent and after you file the case, you should be prepared to face several delays, in all steps of the proceedings. But all this shouldn’t stop you from claiming your right.
Virtual proceedings
Technology has played an important part in serving the world in this crisis. With virtual classes and meetings, it has prevented many industries from totally falling. This technology is now being introduced in the courts too, but this will affect personal injury claims for several reasons. For example, in some cases, where it is important to assess the credibility of a witness or to examine the victims, virtual proceedings would not always suitable. The situation applies to the unreliability of virtual site inspection or the inspection of a particular piece of equipment involved in personal injury cases as well.
Medical aspects
The medical treatments for many non-critical injuries have been canceled or postponed, which may lead to a delay in recovery when it is finally able to take place. Medical practitioners who normally carry out the personal injury examinations or treat the injuries, understandably, had to prioritize the victims of the COVID-19 outbreak rather than medico-legal work. Even those medical staff with the capacity to undertake medico-legal work has been unable to meet with and examine victims due to lockdown. Many practitioners can offer examinations virtually. This method is not only unreliable, but also uncomfortable for the victim, especially those suffering from psychological or psychiatric injuries where they may not feel comfortable speaking about their sensitive problems through video conferencing, especially with other family members at home.
Role of Insurance Companies
Insurance companies could complicate the situation of a victim after personal injury accidents. Especially, in such a case where the victim is struck by an uninsured driver as you would not be able to recover compensation from the driver’s personal assets. Many insurance companies have revived their priority in investigating insurance fraud claims. Epidemics and economic crises can lead to a surge in fraudulent claims. For this reason, accident victims can expect to encounter heavy inquiry into their claims during and after COVID-19.
Conclusion
This pandemic will undoubtedly delay your proceedings, but this shouldn’t stop you from taking any action. One of the biggest mistakes people make in personal injury cases is waiting too long to take action. Waiting to take action can drastically reduce the case value of a personal injury case. You must claim what you deserve.
