How COVID-19 is Affecting Your Case and the Judiciary

by Rob J. Quality Links

The COVID-19 virus has brought about unprecedented changes in how our legal and judiciary system works. Inevitably, that will affect how cases are processed, including adding delays to case resolutions. While your Kansas City truck accident attorney will stay up-to-date on all judiciary proceedings, the following is how the COVID-19 virus might affect your case.

Missouri Court System

It is an evolving process, but per the Missouri Supreme Court, all in-person hearings are suspended unless they are deemed necessary or essential to allow the Court to perform its core function.

When possible, alternative, electronic means of holding hearings, conferences, and meetings are permissible. An attorney, if they feel the presiding order (from the Supreme Court of Missouri on March 22, 2020) interferes with their ability to pursue a case in the best interest of their client can request a continuance.

Negotiations

Any negotiations related to your case will be handled via alternative electronic means unless otherwise specified by your Kansas City truck accident attorney. As with any aspect of a case, your attorney will not agree to any settlement proposal without your express, written agreement.

Opposing Party Contact

It is highly likely as this drags on that the insurance company for the opposing side will want to settle. After all, the longer this drags on, the more expensive the suit becomes for all sides. Because of that, you may be contacted by the other side’s lawyers or insurance company representatives.

You are advised to refer all contacts and discussions through your semi-truck accident attorney. Under no means should you agree to any type of a settlement without first discussing it with your attorney. Additionally, if you are contacted, you should instruct them and all associated parties to refrain from contacting you directly but to go through your attorney with any questions.

Insurance Companies Pressured

In law and in insurance, time is money. As such, any delay in resolving a case is expensive for all involved. While the pressure on you relates to whether you can hold out until the virus crisis has passed, for any involved insurance companies the longer the case goes on the higher the amount of money they will have to pay if they lose.

Updates

Your attorney is monitoring all appropriate court contact sources. They are ready to meet whenever needed and will keep you informed of the status of your case.

In the meantime, follow the example of your Kansas City truck accident attorney and put the health of yourself and your loved ones in front of any other interests. This will pass and it is not worth risking your life over.