Personal Injury Law Blog

Car accidents are distressing enough in ordinary times, but dealing with the aftermath of a collision during the ongoing coronavirus pandemic is likely to cause additional stress. Like other parts of life, personal injury cases will be affected by the stay-at-home order in Illinois.

If you have filed a car accident lawsuit, be prepared for delays in court processes. Courts in Chicago and Cook County are operating at a limited capacity due to the COVID-19 outbreak. Many court cases have been rescheduled, with Cook County Circuit Court suspending most civil and criminal cases through May. The use of videoconferencing has been expanded to allow virtual court appearances and hearings.

While your lawyer will be able to continue handling your car accident claim remotely through videoconferencing and other resources, cases are likely to take longer to resolve. Be sure to stay in touch with your car accident attorney so you have updated information about the status of your case.

In order to maximize the value of your car accident claim, you must continue receiving all of your necessary medical treatment to recover from your injuries. Health care professionals have been prioritizing treating coronavirus patients, which means noncritical care such as follow-up appointments, physical therapy and other routine services are not as readily available. However, postponing or stopping treatment can delay the resolution of your case and have an adverse effect on the amount of damages you receive as your lawyer cannot prove the extent of your injuries.

With the coronavirus upending the normal functioning of businesses and government, the claim-processing timelines of insurance companies are probably going to be stretched out. Additionally, insurance companies may try to pressure you into accepting a quick, yet unfair, settlement offer. You may be struggling with financial challenges due to the uncertainty of the coronavirus pandemic, but holding out for a settlement that provides fair compensation for your losses is likely to be in your best interests if you can afford to wait.

Ultimately, you should avoid delaying your car accident case because of the coronavirus situation. Waiting until after the crisis passes will reduce your case value.

The car accident attorneys at Briskman Briskman & Greenberg remain fully available to help you while working remotely to protect the health and safety of our clients, lawyers and staff during this unprecedented time. We continue to provide top-notch legal services and take a proactive approach to resolving your case.