The Impact of Car Accidents on Pre-Existing Medical Conditions

Have a pre-existing condition worsened by a car accident? Contact The Hoffmann Law Firm today to secure the compensation you deserve.

Car accidents can cause significant injuries, but they can also worsen pre-existing medical conditions, complicating recovery and legal claims. Understanding how car accidents interact with existing health issues, what rights you have, and how to build a strong case can make all the difference.

If you or a loved one has experienced an exacerbation of a pre-existing condition due to a car accident, it’s crucial to act quickly. We can help. Contact The Hoffmann Law Firm today for a free consultation.

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What Are Pre-Existing Medical Conditions?

A pre-existing medical condition is any health issue or injury you had before the car accident. Common examples include:

Chronic Conditions: Arthritis, back pain, or degenerative disc disease.
Previous Injuries: Fractures, sprains, or whiplash from a prior accident.
Mental Health Conditions: Anxiety, depression, or PTSD.
Autoimmune Diseases: Conditions like lupus or multiple sclerosis.

How Car Accidents Affect Pre-Existing Conditions

Exacerbation of Chronic Pain or Injuries
- Car accidents often worsen issues like back pain, joint problems, or prior neck injuries. For example, a person with mild disc degeneration may experience a herniated disc after the collision.
Delayed Recovery
- Pre-existing conditions can slow the healing process. For instance, someone with diabetes may have difficulty recovering from car accident injuries due to impaired circulation and immune response.
New Symptoms or Increased Severity
- A car accident may trigger new symptoms related to an existing condition. A previously manageable issue, such as arthritis, could worsen to the point of significantly limiting mobility.
Mental Health Impact
- Those with anxiety, depression, or PTSD may find that a car accident intensifies their mental health struggles, requiring additional treatment or therapy.

The “Eggshell Plaintiff” Rule

Legally, the “eggshell plaintiff” rule ensures that an individual’s pre-existing condition cannot be used against them. This means:

You Are Taken As You Are:
- If the accident worsens your condition, the at-fault party is responsible, regardless of how fragile your health was before the crash.
Full Compensation Is Possible:
- Even if your injuries are more severe because of your condition, you can seek full damages.

However, you must prove the accident directly caused the aggravation or worsening of your condition.

Challenges in Cases Involving Pre-Existing Conditions

Proving Aggravation: Insurance companies often argue that your condition wasn’t worsened by the accident or that the worsening was inevitable.
Medical Documentation: It’s critical to distinguish between pre-existing and new or aggravated symptoms.
Bias Against Victims: Insurers may attempt to minimize payouts by claiming your condition was unrelated to the accident.

Steps to Take After a Car Accident

Seek Immediate Medical Attention

Always get a medical evaluation after a car accident. Be upfront with your doctor about your pre-existing conditions so they can document any changes accurately.

Document Everything

Maintain detailed records of:

Pre-accident medical history
Symptoms before and after the accident
Medical treatments, including tests, therapies, and medications
Missed work or changes in daily life

Notify Your Attorney

If you hire a personal injury attorney, disclose your complete medical history. Transparency ensures they can build a strong case and counter any arguments from the insurance company.

Medical Evidence in Pre-Existing Condition Cases

The key to winning a claim involving pre-existing conditions lies in medical evidence. This includes:

Comparative Medical Records: Doctors compare your condition before and after the accident to determine the impact.
Expert Testimony: Physicians or specialists may testify how the accident specifically aggravated your condition.
Diagnostic Imaging: X-rays, MRIs, or CT scans can show physical changes caused by the accident.

Compensation for Aggravation of Pre-Existing Conditions

Victims with pre-existing conditions can seek damages for:

Medical Bills: Both for the aggravated condition and new injuries.
Lost Wages: If your condition prevents you from working or limits your earning capacity.
Pain and Suffering: Compensation for the increased pain and emotional distress caused by the accident.
Future Medical Costs: For ongoing treatment related to the aggravated condition.

How Insurance Companies Handle Pre-Existing Conditions

Insurance companies may attempt to:

Deny the Aggravation: Claim that your current issues are solely due to your pre-existing condition, not the accident.
Minimize Compensation: Argue that the condition would have worsened over time regardless of the crash.
Request Excessive Documentation: Insurers may demand extensive proof, creating delays and stress.

How an Attorney Can Help

A personal injury attorney can:

Prove Causation: Gather medical evidence to show how the accident worsened your condition.
Fight Insurance Denials: Counter tactics used to deny or minimize your claim.
Negotiate Settlements: Work to secure compensation that reflects the accident’s full impact on your life.
Provide Expert Connections: Collaborate with medical experts to strengthen your case.

Preventing Complications in Pre-Existing Condition Cases

Disclose Your Medical History: Concealing your condition can harm your credibility.
Follow Medical Advice: Attend all treatments and follow your doctor’s recommendations.
Stay Organized: Keep copies of all medical records, accident reports, and correspondence with insurance companies.

Contact The Hoffmann Law Firm Today

Car accidents can profoundly impact pre-existing medical conditions, making life more challenging for those affected. However, the law is designed to protect victims, ensuring they are compensated for the full extent of their injuries and the aggravation of existing conditions.

Call Now (314) 361-4242 Online Contact Form

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Kyle H.

The lawyers on tv just dont compare for auto accident injury cases. Mr.Hoffmann is as good as they get.

Sam

If you have ever watched any lawyers, you will agree this is one of the best automobile accident litigators in Saint Louis County.

Erica L

This legal professional has shown exceptional competence and dedication in their field. I highly recommend their services to anyone seeking legal representation that is committed to unwavering advocacy and support throughout the entirety of their case.

Peyton H.

I would describe this lawyer as highly educated, sharp, and top of his game. Explains the car accident process and treatment options well. The lawyer said if they don’t pay you, we will have the jury take it from the insurance company. Great lawyer. Dynamic person.

George K.

Very good car accident lawyer. Gets the job done.

Zach B.

This lawyer is as good as you will find in st. Louis. Call this lawyer if you are in an auto accident. 100% recommended

Jessica J.

Interviewed all the TV car accident lawyers and decided to call this law firm that had great reviews. So happy I did. What a difference!

Response from the owner: TV car accident lawyers are just mass production. This is not a good fit for litigated cases. Paralegals instead of lawyers. Monthly quotas for settlements. Car accident victims end up in a cattle call with the lawyers on TV.

jacob P.

Love my car accident lawyer. This law firm is a step above.

Response from the owner: Our lawyers train and track the best approaches on cases. Whether litigation in cases or the practicalities of certain treatment, the growth of our lawyers over time is paramount. Always staying ahead of and setting practice trends. Thank you.

Heather M

This auto accident law firm is incredible!! Very accomplished lawyers!

Response from the owner: Being labeled “an incredible lawyer” is quite the compliment. We are only incredible if this client is. Thanks.

Whitney L

Serious family member have a car accident injury? Look no further. This litigator is for real. Always two steps ahead of the other lawyer.

Response from the owner: This is a sad reality for car accident lawyers. The #1 passenger in an auto accident is a relative. Helping a family make it through this and putting the family back together is one of the most rewarding things I do as an automobile accident attorney.

RIcky P.

This lawyer handles really big accident cases in St Louis. He is a lawyer, accountant and has his masters in tax so he gets the injury cases for individuals that can never go back to work or individuals own a business and cannot run it due to injury. He specializes in valuations of massive loss. Thank goodness a firm like this exists.

Response from the owner: Thank you. When accident are severe and you lose the ability to work or to continue a business, having an accounting and tax background is key. Valuing large losses are second nature for us.

Kasandra H.

You are a great lawyer! Thank you.

Response from the owner: That is a great compliment. Thanks.

Brandon W.

Asked a trauma surgeon who operates on car accident victims who are the best injury lawyers that have taken his deposition. He said “by far” it was Mr Hoffmann. Interviewed several attorneys and this was a correct assessment. In a league of his own!

Response from the owner: Our attorney have deposed nearly all the trauma surgeons at every Level 1 Trauma Center in Saint Louis. These doctors save lives after a car accident. Whether controlling bleeding or reestablishing blood flow or bone structures, they are life savers.

Morgan B.

Few lawyers in St. Louis can handle the biggest injury cases! This is one of them!

Response from the owner: Our law firm has made great efforts in terms of training to handle life changing injury cases. Whether in depth knowledge of the medical, loss of income and earning capacity, or lifetime medical care plans, our clients feel confident and know their case is in good hands. Thank you for the compliment.

Ashley A.

Cannot say enough about this lawyer. Call if in an accident. This attorney handles the biggest car accidents in St Louis.

Response from the owner: Thanks Ash! Our biggest source of cases is our clients. Our second biggest referral source is defense lawyers telling their relatives to call us. Few lawyers can handle the largest cases. Our law firm welcomes and has trained for this. We don’t do mass production settlement like the lawyers on TV. Our clients can never go back to work. Their cases need massive focus and effort and often long fought litigation.

Taylor T.

So glad I called attorney Hoffmann. This time I got it right! So glad I hired the Hoffmann Law Firm - professional, reliable and available.

Response from the owner: Thanks Taylor. Our lawyers answer the phone day, night, weekends and even during lunch. Being professional means training to beat the best defense lawyers. Client rely on us to get results and we do.

Malashia M.

Great lawyer. Cares about his clients, knows his stuff and goes the extra mile. I recommend this lawyer for car wreck injury claim. Every other lawyer on TV would not even help with my property claim. This attorney did.

Response from the owner: Thank you for the kind words. Every case starts with a great client. You are correct the car accident lawyers on TV are mass production settlement mills. When injury clients fire them, we get their files and the cases are not worked up at all. Appreciate your confidence in us!

Pringles Master 2

Major car accident injury in St Louis area for a family member. Four different lawyers we know said the same thing - call Chris Hoffmann. On another level.

Response from the owner: This is such a great compliment. Most of our cases come from prior client or lawyers that also do car accidents cases but the particular case is too large or too difficult. Being a lawyer and an accountant, we specialize in cases with total lost of income, earning capacity and/or often the inability to continue a family business. Evaluations such as these are second nature for our lawyers. Thanks.

andry S.

Best in St Louis for auto accident cases. Nobody else is even close.

Response from the owner: So kind of you to leave this review. Whether our lawyers are going after big insurance or their lawyers, skill and experience are essential and win the day for our auto accident clients. Thanks!

Daniel C.

This attorney is very smart, very experienced, returns phone calls and knows the answers when asked. One call and I knew this was a great law firm for auto accidents.

Response from the owner: Our law firm appreciates this. This is a comment we get from so many people who call…”none of the lawyers we called told me all the things that you did.” Whether we take a car accident case or not, helping people is a good thing.

JILL F.

5 Star Lawyer for sure! Best you will find in Saint Louis.

Response from the owner: Thanks for the 5 Star Rating. Reviews like this are great. Injury victims quickly figure out the TV advertisers are not good. We work hard at being the best we can be and it reflects in our representation of car accident victims.

Angela

Watch this lawyer in action. Was way better than all the others. Get this lawyer for an automobile accident for sure.

Response from the owner: Thanks for the recommendation. Besides doing cases, our attorneys train for this. Hard work, case knowledge and technique is key to success in car accident litigation.

Michelle S.

Very pleased with The Hoffmann Law Firm. Lawyers are attentive, friendly and go the distance to force the settlement you want. The TV lawyers recommend low offers. This law firm gets the maximum.

Response from the owner: We get calls from car accident victims that had to fire the TV lawyers that they hired. They give the same two reasons: 1) they never spoke to a lawyer at the Big TV law firms, only a paralegal, and 2) the paralegal recommended they accept a low offer. At our law firm, you only talk to the lawyer and if an offer is low we tell you to sue. Thanks!

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