I Was Injured in a Car Accident during a Coronavirus Shelter-in-Place Order—Can I Still Sue?

The novel coronavirus is undoubtedly changing the way we live in society. With shelter-in-place and stay-at-home orders keeping most people at home, there’s a decrease in traffic on the road but an increase in stress. Although the North Carolina governor has issued a stay-at-home order, you can still drive to get groceries, prescriptions, and seek medical treatment when necessary.

Car accidents may decrease during the COVID-19 pandemic, but they won’t come to a complete halt. If you suffer from a car accident while there are restrictions on travel and being in public, in some cases you may still sue for your damages. You can discuss your case virtually with a Charlotte car accident lawyer from The Nye Law Group to determine the proper steps to take.  

Getting Your Injuries Treated in North Carolina

You may hesitate to see a doctor in Charlotte after your car accident if you’re worried about contracting the coronavirus. But getting your injuries treated is essential and should be a priority. The medical professionals working at hospitals throughout North Carolina are taking caution with COVID-19. They are separating all COVID-19 patients from others within the facility. 

When a doctor at the hospital treats you for your injuries, you can rest assured you’re in a sterile environment. Getting medical records of the injuries you’ve suffered could be the deciding factor in whether you obtain a settlement for your car accident. 

Gathering Evidence against the At-Fault Party in Your Accident

Gathering evidence to prove negligence against the at-fault party in your case is important. While you won’t want to physically interact with anyone during this time of social distancing, you can save any receipts for expenses you incur, such as property damage to your vehicle and medical fees. You can also collect witness statements from anyone at the scene of your wreck.

Your car accident lawyer in Charlotte can give you advice over the phone about how best to move forward with your case during a shelter-in-place order. There’s a lot of preparation that goes into a lawsuit, and you can use this downtime to prepare.

Taking Advantage of the Statute of Limitations

North Carolina’s statute of limitations for personal injury claims is three years. That means you’ll have three years from when your car accident occurred to file your lawsuit. You can take advantage of this extended time frame because the COVID-19 crisis should be long over before your time limit to file your claim is up.

Once the governor lifts the stay-at-home order, you can continue to collect evidence and discuss your case in person with your attorney.

Consult a Charlotte Car Accident Attorney

The coronavirus has changed society as we know it, but it hasn’t changed the fact that you deserve justice. You shouldn’t ignore someone else’s negligence just because you’re stuck at home during this pandemic. At The Nye Law Group, we’re still working tirelessly to help injured victims in need. You can schedule a free consultation with us virtually to begin the claims process.

To speak with a Charlotte car accident lawyer from our firm, fill out the contact form below or call 704-285-6319.