Can Pre-Existing Conditions Affect A Car Accident Claim?
When you already have an injury or chronic illness, being involved in a car accident can make it worse, in addition to any new injuries you may have sustained. If you are in a vehicle accident and have a pre-existing condition, you will very certainly be required to disclose it as part of your claim. That’s a frightening thought since following a car accident, you may be left with expensive medical bills and missed wages – all of which you’ll need compensation to cover. With that in mind, can an insurance company deny your claim or offer you a low-ball settlement if they believe pre-existing conditions rather than the crash causes your injuries? We’ll go through how pre-existing conditions impact car accident cases in more detail below.
Recovering Damages with a Pre-Existing Condition After An Accident.
In general, you cannot seek damages for a pre-existing injury or medical condition in a car accident lawsuit. If a car accident worsens or accelerates a pre-existing ailment, however, the legal system will recognize this and allow the victim to seek appropriate compensation. Suppose you can show that the new injuries you sustained in your accident worsened your existing injuries and set back your recovery. In that case, you may still be able to secure compensation for the resulting medical bills, pain and suffering, and other related losses.
Keep in mind that the other driver’s insurance company will try to reduce the amount they have to pay you, and they will refuse to pay for injuries that were not caused by the accident. This is why, following a car accident, you should consult with a car accident lawyer, especially if you have a pre-existing condition.
You Shouldn’t Have To Shoulder the Financial Burden After A Car Accident You Didn’t Cause.
If you or a family member has been seriously injured in a car accident that wasn’t your fault, contact the Goss Law Firm’s skilled and caring attorneys. We’ll guide you through the complexity of a car accident claim and explain your legal options to you. It’s critical to safeguard your rights and guarantee you get the compensation you deserve for medical costs, missed earnings, and pain and suffering caused by an accident, especially if you have a pre-existing condition. Contact our office today at 816-888-5000 to schedule a free, no-risk legal consultation.