With the whole country shut down, it would be easy to believe that nobody is suffering from a personal injury. However, that simply isn’t the case. Yes, fewer people are getting hurt. That makes sense. Most people are working from home so there are fewer workplace injuries. And, with so fewer cars on the road, there aren’t as many car accidents. But there are people who were injured before the Coronavirus stepped foot on American soil. There are also people who have gotten hurt in a variety of accidents since the virus took hold of our country.
People who are suffering any sort of personal injury are worried. They know most of the courts are closed or only offering limited services. They also realize that in-person communications are extremely limited. So, what are they supposed to do when they get injured? A lot of people are afraid that personal injury lawyers in South Carolina are also closed. And, while we may be keeping limited hours, that doesn’t mean we aren’t here to help you.
Our office is doing everything it can to help accommodate our clients – both existing and new clients. Just because you cannot physically come into our office, that doesn’t mean you can’t meet with our Greenville personal injury lawyers.
COVID-19 Has Put a Strain on the Legal System
One of the institutions hit hardest by the COVID-19 pandemic is the legal system. Almost all of the courts are either closed or only holding limited sessions. Lawyers aren’t able to meet with their clients the way they used to. Things like depositions have been postponed or cancelled all together. The courts aren’t holding motion hearings on a regular basis. And mediators, which are some of the most helpful tools in the civil justice system, aren’t operating the way they normally do.
Just because the virus has shut most operations down, that doesn’t mean you can’t get the legal help you need. Many courts are holding certain types of hearings by Zoom. For example, if your lawyer needs to argue a certain motion in front of a judge, they can do that online. In fact, without the need to travel and sit in a courtroom waiting for their case to be heard, some of these motions and hearing are getting done much more efficiently. Rather than your having to drive to the courthouse, take a day off from work and sit around all day waiting for the judge to hear your case, your attorney can handle this from the comfort of his home or office.
You Can Still Enjoy Your Free Initial Consultation
Another important thing to remember is that you can still schedule your free initial consultation with our office. Just because you can’t physically come into our office, that doesn’t mean you can’t have a consultation. Many initial consultations can take place by telephone. You can always email or fax over the documentation related to your case ahead of time. This way, your Greenville personal injury lawyer can review them before you meet. You could also do your consultation by Skype or Zoom. Your attorney is able to accommodate you in a variety of ways. Just because the virus has a hold on the legal system, that doesn’t mean you aren’t still entitled to file your legal claim.
One thing we always remind our clients is that you should talk to your lawyer as soon as possible after your accident. This way, the evidence is still fresh. And, the story is still fresh in your mind. You also have to keep the statute of limitations in mind. There’s no guarantee that, two years from now, a judge is going to extend your statute of limitations because of COVID-19. They may expect people to file their claim in time – no matter what. This is why you should reach out to our office now, even if it means you can’t physically meet with your attorney for a few weeks or months.
Contact an Experienced Greenville Personal Injury Attorney Now
If you or your loved one have suffered any sort of personal injury, call our office right away. Whether you were hurt before or after the Coronavirus struck, you still need to find out if you have a legal claim. And, if you’re approaching the end of your statutes of limitations period in South Carolina, you need to contact our Greenville personal injury attorneys sooner rather than later. The consultation is still free and you don’t pay a dime until you settle your case.
