Unfortunately, many Minnesotans end up injured each year in motor vehicle accidents, medical malpractice incidents, or as the result of faulty or improperly manufactured products. When these events are caused by an individual or group’s negligence or disregard for safety, the responsible party can be held responsible for the pain and damage they’ve caused.
You may be seeking this compensation if you’ve recently been injured through someone else’s carelessness or negligence. If your injury meets these criteria, you may have a strong personal injury claim which you can pursue with the assistance of a Minneapolis personal injury lawyer. But the process of pursuing a personal injury claim has changed during COVID-19 – primarily due to social distancing guidelines. Before you take your case to court, here are some vital considerations.
Seek out witnesses
If someone is injured in a public place or workplace, there are usually several witnesses to the event. But with COVID-19, more people are staying at home, unless absolutely necessary. This may make it more difficult to identify potential witnesses of the event that caused your injury. If you’re able to get contact information from witnesses in the moment, it can help you down the line. Even if you didn’t speak to witnesses at the scene of the injury let your Minneapolis personal injury attorney know if you think someone may have seen what happened. You should also note whether law enforcement was present at the scene of the incident.
Always follow your doctor’s orders
You should always seek medical advice or care for your injuries to be certain that you receive the treatment you’ll need to recover completely. Even if you don’t view your injury as life-threatening, it may affect your quality of life long-term. One common example is neck/back injuries due to a car accident. The impact the accident has had on your body may not be immediately apparent, but issues may arise in the following days and weeks.
The injuries you sustained may require surgeries or treatments that could affect your immune system. This is very important to know during the pandemic, so you can protect yourself from the possibility of contracting COVID-19 when your body is already in a weakened state. Follow your doctor’s orders, which may include minimizing your physical activity, staying away from public places, and wearing a mask when you need to go out. It is important to note that you should still get the medical treatment you need. Don’t ignore your health because you are afraid of medical clinics. Call them and ask about their availability and procedures they are taking to keep the facility safe. Believe it or not, most medical providers are less busy right now, making social distancing much easier.
Expect the process to move more slowly – but you may be pleasantly surprised
You should never expect a quick resolution to your personal injury case because it can force you to compromise your goals and take a smaller than deserved settlement. This is even more important to remember during the pandemic. COVID-19 has caused drastic changes within the Minnesota legal system as judges try to prioritize legal cases and conduct virtual hearings. As a result, court dates are being rescheduled and some personal injury cases are being temporarily postponed. If you do not want to accept a settlement and are determined to have your day in court, expect the process to move more slowly than usual. But on the bright side, since COVID-19 guidelines are constantly changing the courts could be back to “normal” sooner than we think. We are already seeing some movement in this regard.
Choose the right Minneapolis personal injury attorney
After you’ve contacted a medical professional, finding an attorney should be your top priority. While seeing a doctor ensures your physical health, speaking to an attorney about your accident can help you address your mental anguish and financial health. If you’ve been injured due to someone else’s negligence, you shouldn’t have to worry about how you’ll pay medical bills and replace your lost wages. Let your Minneapolis personal injury lawyer take care of your case so you can focus on getting better.
You should always do your research before choosing an attorney, but it’s even more important during the pandemic. Your attorney should be prepared to meet with you virtually and file paperwork on your behalf so can maintain social distancing guidelines. The personal injury attorneys in Minneapolis at Sieben Edmunds Miller have been meeting with clients digitally since the start of the pandemic. We’ve kept up to date on the Minnesota court system’s latest COVID-related news, so we know what to expect with your personal injury case. You can reach us at (651) 323-2464.
