Courts and Coronavirus: How San Antonio Is Moving Forward

San Antonio’s fight against COVID-19 is ongoing. At Crosley Law, we’re carefully monitoring our local government’s coronavirus response and how it impacts our clients’ personal injury claims. We understand that this is a stressful time, especially if you’re recovering from a car crash or another type of injury and need compensation for your lost income and medical bills.

In this article, we’ll discuss how San Antonio’s courts are dealing with coronavirus, how the current pandemic is impacting filings and other deadlines, and what Crosley Law is doing to push our clients’ cases forward.

COVID-19: Where Does San Antonio Stand?

As with the rest of the country, the coronavirus’ impact on our San Antonio community is continually evolving, and so is our response to the crisis. San Antonio’s first report case of COVID-19, which was linked to domestic travel, occurred in mid-March. By March 31, 2020, there were 207 confirmed coronavirus cases in Bexar County.

Since then, the number of cases has continued to grow. Today, there have been more than 14,700 confirmed COVID-19 cases in Bexar County, including hundreds of hospitalizations and more than 130 deaths.

In response, our local and state governments have implemented a variety of measures to keep us safe. In San Antonio, our local government issued a stay-at-home order on March 26, roughly a week before Gov. Greg Abbott issued a similar statewide order. San Antonio and all of Texas now also require the wearing of face masks in public.

For crash victims and their lawyers, another important factor of the stay-at-home orders involve significant changes to how our court system operates during the pandemic.

Bexar County Courts Are Holding Video Hearings, But Jury Trials Are on Hold

In Bexar County, our courts and the San Antonio Bar Association (SABA) have worked hard to ensure continuity and safety. Our judges quickly transitioned to video hearings. During these hearings, all participants appear by Zoom and typically share their evidence and exhibits in advance. While technical issues can arise, Crosley Law’s attorneys easily adjusted to these Zoom hearings.

When you work with our legal team, we’ll guide you through the entire video hearing process and help you prepare for the technical and legal issues that may arise during your hearing. We’ve always been committed to delivering an exceptional client experience, and working remotely hasn’t changed this.

One of our team’s lawyers commented on how smooth the process felt after his first video hearing.

“Before the hearing began, both parties emailed our motions and supporting documents to the judge, and she then conducted the hearing by video,” the attorney said. “It was nice to be able to wear sneakers to court.”

To see what a video hearing at the Bexar County Civil District Court looks like, you can visit the Presiding Court’s live stream.

However, due to concerns about justice and fairness, it’s not possible to hold a jury trial by video conference. Bringing a jury together could pose a serious health risk during the coronavirus pandemic. As a result, the Texas Supreme Court postponed all jury trials until further notice.

Crosley Law has been in close contact with our clients and updating them on the status of their hearing or trial date. However, if you have questions or concerns, you should never hesitate to call our office. We’ll give you the latest information, and as soon as the courts start rescheduling trials, we will notify our clients.

Texas Delays the Statute of Limitations Due to Coronavirus

A statute of limitations is a filing deadline. If you do not file your lawsuit within the timeframe described in the statute of limitations, you may lose your right to compensation. Typically, you have two years from the date of your injury or crash to file a personal injury lawsuit in Texas.

You can still file a lawsuit during the stay-at-home order, and many people are doing just that. Texas courts have for years used an e-filing system, EFileTexasCourts.gov, which lets both attorneys and unrepresented parties file complaints (the legal documents that start a lawsuit) and other documents remotely.

However, the Texas Supreme Court recognizes that not everyone will have access to these options. So, the court extended the state’s civil statutes of limitations from March 31, 2020, to June 1, 2020. The court may decide to further extend this window depending on the state of the coronavirus crisis.

Coronavirus Hasn’t Slowed San Antonio’s Lawyers Down

San Antonio has a remarkable legal community, and our attorneys, judges, and support personnel have worked hard to ensure that the courts remain open and operate efficiently during this difficult time. The San Antonio Bar Association (SABA) has consistently shared information and court updates, hosted webinars, and supported Bexar County’s judges, court officials, attorneys, and other community members.

Even though the bar association’s staff is working remotely, SABA continues to update San Antonio’s legal community about COVID-19 developments, advocate for its members, and support legal professionals as they adjust to the stay-at-home order’s requirements. SABA’s website continues to publish the most up-to-date information about Bexar and Texas’ court policies and procedures, helping lawyers ensure that their clients get the justice they deserve.

“As lawyers, we have an obligation to advocate for access to justice,” notes Tom Crosley. “During the coronavirus stay-at-home order, San Antonio’s legal community never lost sight of this, and they are doing everything they can under these challenging circumstances. As president of SABA and a trial lawyer, I’m deeply grateful for all of the SABA staff’s hard work and commitment.”

“As lawyers, we have an obligation to advocate for access to justice,” notes Tom Crosley. “During the coronavirus stay-at-home order, San Antonio’s legal community never lost sight of this, and they are doing everything they can under these challenging circumstances. As president of SABA and a trial lawyer, I’m deeply grateful for all of the SABA staff’s hard work and commitment.”

At Crosley Law, we continue to meet with clients by phone and videoconferencing software. Our injury lawyers are aggressively preparing clients’ cases, negotiating with insurance companies, and looking for ways to resolve legal disputes fairly and efficiently.

Tips for Accident Victims in San Antonio During the COVID-19 Crisis

If you or a loved one suffered injuries during a car crash or another catastrophic incident, you might feel overwhelmed by everything right now. Balancing your crash-related medical needs and insurance claims with the need to stay home and stay healthy isn’t an easy task. During this stressful time, we encourage you to take the following steps.

Explore Your Telehealth and Video Appointment Options

Many people are avoiding hospitals and clinics right now due to concerns about the coronavirus. However, it’s never a good idea to delay treatment after a collision. First, consistent medical care will give you the best possible chance of recovering from your injuries. Second, your doctors’ notes may serve as essential evidence during a lawsuit, linking your condition to the crash and documenting your damages.

While some injuries and health issues require in-person care, you may be able to see your doctor remotely using their telehealth or video visit software. During a video appointment, you’ll talk to your doctor, and they will examine you using your electronic device’s camera. Then, they’ll suggest next steps. Doctors can even use video appointments to prescribe many types of medications.

Don’t Ignore Your Mental Health

Car crashes and insurance claims are stressful, and the uncertainty associated with COVID-19 and our state’s stay-at-home order only adds to the anxiety. If you’re feeling depressed or anxious, talk to your doctor. Just like your family doctor, many mental health providers and therapists can offer video and phone appointments. An experienced mental health professional can help you manage your feelings and suggest proven therapies and coping strategies.

We also suggest giving yourself time for self-care. Find a quiet place and read a book. Spend time outside with a family member (while still socially distancing from others). Try out some mindfulness or meditation exercises. Give yourself some time to process your feelings.

If you need resources or help, Texas Health and Human Services has a detailed list on their website. We also like the National Alliance on Mental Illness’ COVID-19 Resource and Information Guide.

Schedule a Free Consultation With an Injury Lawyer in San Antonio

Just because you’re socially distancing doesn’t mean you need to be isolated. If you have questions or concerns about your legal claims, contact Crosley Law. We continue to accept new clients and schedule phone and video consultations throughout the coronavirus crisis. When you work with us, you’ll get the same outstanding level of practical advice, compassionate support, and aggressive representation that we give every client no matter what the circumstances are.

We’ve found that simply talking to a lawyer and learning more about your legal rights can help you regain control. Rather than struggle with the insurance company and the insurance adjuster on your own, contact Crosley Law and get the help you deserve.

Crosley Law: Fighting for Injured Victims in San Antonio

At Crosley Law, we’re deeply committed to our communities of San Antonio and Texas. We proudly represent our clients during some of their most difficult moments, and we have a remarkable track record of success.

If you or someone you love suffered injuries due to someone else’s negligence, call Crosley Law today at 210-LAW-3000 | 210-529-3000 or fill out our quick online contact form. We’ll set up your free consultation so you can get expert legal advice at no cost and with no further commitment.