How Pre-existing Conditions Impact Houston Personal Injury Claims

If you suffer an accident injury caused by negligence and have a pre-existing condition, you must consult with an experienced Houston personal injury attorney. When you file your claim, one of the first things your insurer will do is to look up your record and see if you have any pre-existing conditions or check a database to see if any insurance claims have been filed for you.

If you have a pre-existing condition, claims adjuster will likely try to minimize the value of your claim by saying your current injuries were caused by the same incident that resulted in your pre-existing condition. Should they succeed, your claim may even be denied outright.

What is a pre-existing condition?

A pre-existing condition is a medical or physical condition, problem, or ailment that existed before your injury. It may have been caused by a car accident, medical malpractice, dog attack, etc. Some of the most common types of pre-existing conditions include:

• Prior back injuries
• Past surgeries
• Heart problems

It is important to remember that any insurance company is not your friend and they are not looking to do you any favors. On the contrary, insurance companies are looking to increase their profits by reducing or denying claims as much as possible. If they can pin the injuries you just suffered in a car accident on your pre-existing injuries from another condition, you better believe they will do it.

Disclosing your pre-existing condition

Given how a pre-existing condition can impact your case, you might think that not disclosing it when you file your legal claim is a good idea. It is not. In fact, you will sabotage your case by not disclosing your pre-existing condition. Your insurance company will investigate your accident claim thoroughly. If they see an opportunity to discredit or de-value your claim, they will take it.

You can maximize your chances of receiving a favorable settlement by retaining the services of a skilled injury attorney, and by providing medical documentation that can validate pre-existing conditions and prove the accident caused your new injuries.

Contact a knowledgeable Houston accident lawyer

Ryan A. DeHoyos guides you through the maze to recovery for a personal injury claim in Texas. Whether you are filing your first claim, or have a pre-existing condition, Ryan A. DeHoyos will provide the advice and present your story to insurance companies to get you the fair compensation you deserve. To discuss your accident case with a skilled personal injury lawyer today, call (832) 745-4878 or contact us online.