The coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak has radically altered life in New York. The New York State Department of Health reports over 240,000 cases of coronavirus have been confirmed as of April 20th—and, unfortunately, many more people are expected to contract the virus in the coming days and weeks.
While residents in Western New York are strongly encouraged to stay at home, certain essential activities must still go on. Even though there are far fewer people out on the road, accidents can happen. Here, our auto accident lawyers highlight the important steps you should take if you are involved in a motor vehicle collision during the COVID-19 pandemic.
As a starting point, it is important to understand that the basic things that you need to do after a crash have not changed. Under New York law, motorists involved in a collision have a legal obligation to stop their vehicle, exchange information, and report the accident to the police. Beyond this, you should also try to proactively document the collision by taking pictures and getting contact information for witnesses.
Of course, the coronavirus pandemic should change the way in which you interact with strangers and all other non-household members. The World Health Organization (WHO) strongly recommends social distancing in order to protect yourself and reduce the spread of the virus. When you are dealing with the aftermath of a crash, try to keep as much distance as possible between yourself and other people. To be fully prepared, you may want to keep a mask, gloves, and hand sanitizer within your car. By doing so, you can best protect yourself against the risk of infection.
The COVID-19 outbreak has put a tremendous amount of stress on hospitals and the healthcare system—particularly in New York State. That being said, there are still medical resources available for people who have suffered serious injuries. Do not avoid seeing a doctor. Despite the coronavirus outbreak, people who have suffered car accident injuries should get immediate medical attention. Protect your health and well-being by getting the treatment that you need.
You do not have to wait until the coronavirus outbreak is over to take action on your case. Indeed, much of the legal claims process is still moving forward. The sooner you reach out to an experienced attorney, the better off you will be. At Richmond Vona, LLC, our operations have not been interrupted by the COVID-19 outbreak.
We are set up to handle cases fully remotely. If you were injured in a crash, please contact our legal team by phone, text message, or email for a free, fully confidential remote consultation. Our auto accident lawyers are ready to help you protect your rights and maximize your financial recovery. We serve communities throughout Western New York, including in Erie County, Niagara County, Monroe County, and Wyoming County.
