Could Individuals Seeking Treatment for Car Accident Injuries in Texas Be at Risk of Coronavirus (COVID-19)?

In the aftermath of a car accident, you may have many doctor’s appointments coming up and may have appointments for rehabilitation treatment and care. With coronavirus shutting down schools, social events, and with the Centers for Disease Control recommending that gatherings of 50 people or more be postponed or rescheduled for the next eight weeks, many people are wondering whether it might be in their best interests to practice social distancing measures to keep themselves and those around them healthy. While this makes sense for elective events like parties, concerts, and other non-essential gatherings, when it comes to necessary meetings and appointments like doctor’s appointments and rehabilitative care, the rules change. The same is true for nursing care. Social distancing measures that may make sense regarding limiting contact when a friend is coming to visit might not make sense if you need nursing or rehabilitative care.

What should you do if you were recently hurt in a car accident and have concerns that visiting a doctor’s office could potentially expose you to the coronavirus? Feel free to call your doctor and express your concerns. If you are in a vulnerable population because you are over age 60 or because you have other health conditions, you may want to let your doctor know your concerns and see what alternatives may be available to you. If you have a doctor’s appointment and are feeling sick, people are being asked to call doctor’s offices to let their physician know that they are not well, so that medical officials can take appropriate next steps and offer proper advice. Always talk to your doctor before cancelling an appointment because the benefits of getting medical care may sometimes outweigh the risks of contracting coronavirus, and it will largely depend on your medical situation what your doctor may recommend. In some cases, patients need surgery right away or need medical interventions as soon as possible to prevent a situation from worsening, while in other cases, it may be possible to postpone some treatment until the worst of this has passed.

What are some other alternatives that may be available to you if you have an upcoming doctor’s appointment or follow up after a car accident?

• Call your doctor and see if there might be a telemedicine option available to you. If you need to renew a prescription, for example, your doctor may be able to speak to you over the phone and help you with a prescription renewal remotely.
• If your doctor recommends you come in for an appointment, practice good hygiene. Wash your hands, use hand sanitizer, and avoid touching surfaces that others may have touched.

When it comes to appointments, it is important to call your doctor. For example, if you miss appointments and are seeking disability benefits, or are seeking compensation for a car accident with an insurance company or with a negligent driver, missing appointments can potentially impact your case. If your situation worsens or your injury gets worse, negligent parties could claim that your condition worsened because you didn’t seek the medical attention you needed. And if you are seeking evaluations for disability, missing appointments could delay your case or interfere with your case. So, always seek medical care if you’ve been hurt and always ask your doctor for advice before canceling an appointment.

Finally, be sensitive to the fact that medical offices and hospitals may be overwhelmed, services may be at their limit. Always call your doctor if you do plan to cancel an appointment because medical personnel can then provide appointments and care to others who may also need it during this challenging time. Stay safe. Drive safely. And the best thing to do now is to avoid injury by taking proper preventative measures to stop injuries before they happen. Don’t drink and drive. Don’t text and drive. Listen to officials near you regarding their recommendations for public gatherings and social interactions to prevent the spread of disease.

If you have questions about your car accident case and about your claims, reach out to the Cooper Law Firm, a car accident law firm in Texas. Our Texas car accident lawyers are here to review your case, advise you on the next steps, and are watching this situation closely. If closures or limits on public movement change the way that we have to work to handle your claim, we’ll be sure to let you know. Do let our office know if you do fall sick, so we can take the next steps to keep everyone safe while also offering you the exceptional legal services you have come to expect. If you have recently been hurt in a car accident or truck accident and have questions about the next steps, the Cooper Law Firm is a car accident law firm in Texas that can help. Reach out to us or contact USAttorneys.com to get connected to the car accident lawyer at the Cooper Law Firm today.