Following the outbreak of COVID-19, lockdown and social distancing has been the order of the day. This implies that there are a few numbers of cars on the roads. In case of an accident during these challenging times, it could add more anxiety and stress. It is better to think about traditional precautions to take if an accident occurs. Additionally, it would be best if you observe COVID-19 safety tips. The following are tips for handling car accident amid the pandemic:
Basic Accident Response Tips
Remain at the scene of the accident
Avoid leaving the scene of the accident until the emergency services arrive and collect relevant information.
Contact Emergency Services
In most cases, it is challenging to determine if anyone is critically injured, ensure that you call the police immediately to evaluate the situation.
Scene Documentation
Please take photos of the accident scene as they will act as sources of evidence in a court of law or even in the insurance company.
Seek Medication
After the scene has been evaluated and essential data captured, seek medication. The nurses will check for injuries and offer you the best medicine.
It is recommended that you contact your primary care provider and get recommendations about your condition. Your health care provider will address your initial medical needs alongside a telemedicine appointment.
Medical attention is vital; hence do not delay seeking evaluation. You might be feeling well immediately after the accident, but later on, realize that you were hurt and medical attention is required.
Call Your Insurance Firm
Ensure that you notify your insurance company to initiate the claims process. Following the COVID-19 pandemic, the process could take much more time than expected.
Contact Your Lawyer
After the accident, ensure that you seek legal representation to obtain compensation for any loss accrued.
In addition to the basic accident guidelines mentioned above, adhere to the COVID-19 safety tips, including:
Keep Social Distance
During normal days, in case of an accident, you could approach anyone to acquire information. However, during this pandemic, maintain social distance at all costs. Hand-to-hand exchange is not mandatory to obtain documents, and your obligations can be fulfilled without it. Maintain six feet distance from other people and yourself.
When interacting with people involved in the accident, put on your face mask and protective gloves.
Remain calm and contained at the scene and avoid panicking. Ensure that you contact emergency services and social distancing.
Do not exchange any material things in the scene of the accident. For instance, instead of exchanging pieces of paper, you can exchange phone numbers verbally. If you need the other party’s documents, tell them to put them on flat service then take a picture. In case your behavior of the other party does not adhere to the safety guidelines of COVID-19 call for law enforcement.
Be Prepared for Delays
The pandemic has had adverse impacts on our lives. The implication in such a case is that you have to expect the accident to be longer than usual. The process will involve medical treatment and dealing with the insurance company for compensation.
Notably, during this pandemic, the insurance claim processing period is slower due to delays in our court system’s personal injury lawsuits. Additionally, the non-emergency medical procedures, including surgery and therapy, are lowly prioritized due to the overwhelming conditions in the healthcare systems.
Schedule a Free Consultation with Personal Injury Attorney
The personal injury process is still attended to during the COVID-19 outbreak. You should contact your lawyer immediately after the accident. You do not have to wait till you recover to start pursuing your claim. Contact your lawyer to make the follow up on your claims. For compensation after the accident, you need to understand your legal rights before making decisions. Hire a lawyer, gather adequate evidence from the accident scene, then speak to your insurance company. However, you must submit paperwork for proof of the accident.
