How a Pre-Existing Condition may affect Your Car Accident Case: Information from Tampa Auto Accident Lawyer Dale Appell, P.A.

One of the many unfair situations you may find yourself in after a car accident is not being reimbursed for your medical bills because the insurance company says you have a “pre-existing condition.” As part of our ongoing fight for justice, Tampa auto accident lawyer Dale Appell, P.A. is determined to make sure his clients receive full compensation for their injuries, regardless of their medical history.

The mention of a pre-existing condition can complicate a personal injury case in a few ways. For example, let's say you were driving down Kennedy Boulevard in Tampa when you were hit hard from behind by another vehicle, sending your car careening into the car ahead of you. The impact slammed your knees into the dashboard, causing you pain and disability for months, and then lingering pain afterward.

The insurance company, in an effort to pay less for your injury claim, subpoenas your medical records and discovers you have experienced knee problems in the past that have been attributed to your jogging routine. In turn, the insurance company may use this information to “prove” that the accident did not cause your injuries, but instead aggravated injuries you already had. This fact means the insurance company may refuse to pay your injury claim, or will insist on paying less for your injury claim than you deserve.

This type of scenario can seriously impair your personal injury case and you will need the assistance of an attorney if you want the best chance of a successful insurance claim. An experienced Tampa auto accident lawyer will assist you by thoroughly investigating your alleged pre-existing condition and possibly asking your doctor to testify about your previous injury. An attorney will also consult with medical experts who can testify about your new injuries sustained in the auto accident. A medical expert can also show how your new injuries have resulted in recent medical bills (present and future), disability, pain, etc.

The fact is, virtually all of us have sustained injuries and other medical conditions at some point in our lives, but this does not render us ineligible for compensation and justice when we are injured in an auto accident. Regardless of your previous medical history, if you are injured in a car accident anywhere in the greater Tampa Bay area, please contact Tampa auto accident lawyer Dale Appell, P.A. We serve all of West Central Florida including Brandon, Dade City, Clearwater, St Petersburg, Apollo Beach, Hernando, Bradenton, Carrollwood, Citrus, Dunedin, and beyond.