he spread of COVID-19 has forced all of us to make many changes to our daily lifestyles, including how we respond to unexpected events, such as car accidents. If you are involved in an accident, you may have many questions about staying safe while still pursuing compensation. For example: should you even get out of your car to exchange information with the other driver if trying to social distance?

If you were injured in a car accident, the team of licensed attorneys at Goldberg Finnegan are prepared to help you begin seeking compensation from the safety of your own home. We also offer eSign so you can formalize documents without having to print anything out.

As Maryland moves into Stage Two of the COVID-19 recovery, learn more about how to stay safe after a car accident while protecting your rights.

Ways to Stay Safe After a Car Accident

We understand that many injury victims may be hesitant to see a doctor or start an injury claim during the COVID-19 crisis. However, there are ways you may be able to initiate your injury claim without putting yourself or your loved ones at risk of being infected by this potentially deadly disease.

Calling 9-1-1

If you are severely injured, it is important to call 9-1-1 and follow their instructions before going to the hospital. If you sustained minor injuries, you may be able to see a doctor via teleconference, so you do not need to visit his or her office and risk getting infected.

Exchanging Information

Normally, accident victims who are not severely injured would approach each other and exchange information, such as insurance company information. However, adhering to social distancing recommendations could help limit the spread of the virus.

Instead of approaching each other, stay six feet apart and exchange cellphone numbers. You can then text each other your information. Another option is to have the other driver set the documents down on a flat surface and back away while you take pictures with your cellphone camera.

Talking to Witnesses

Check to see if there were any witnesses to the accident and record their names and contact information. Maintain a six-foot distance during your conversations and wear a mask if possible. If you decide to hire our firm, our Silver Spring car accident lawyers can contact the witnesses for a phone interview to help solidify your claim.

Will the Legal Process be Delayed?

Even as more and more of our state opens back up, there could still be delays with your insurance claim or personal injury lawsuit. One reason for some of these delays is victims sometimes must wait to get treatment, as COVID-19 patients are given priority.

Insurance companies may attempt to use a delay to try to convince you to accept a lowball settlement offer. They know you may be desperate for compensation and more likely to accept these kinds of offers. However, these offers often do not provide compensation for future medical care, leaving victims to pay for treatment out of their own pocket.

Even if the insurance company does not offer a settlement, they may try to trick you into saying things that hurt the value of your claim. That is why it is important to only provide basic information, such as when and where the accident happened. You can let your lawyer handle communication with the insurance company to help protect the full value of your claim.

Reach Out to a Licensed Lawyer Any Time

If you or a loved one was injured in a car crash, call the attorneys at Goldberg Finnegan at any time. A representative of our firm is available to take your call 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

Schedule your complimentary car accident consultation to learn more about how we may be able to assist you throughout the legal process. We have a proven track record of recovering fair compensation for our auto accident clients.