Pre-Existing Injuries

Arizona Accident Lawyers for Aggravation of Pre-Existing Injuries

Car accidents often aggravate and worsen pre-existing medical conditions or injuries, and victims are entitled to compensation for the additional harm they suffer. However, insurance companies will often try to limit the amount they have to pay by claiming that the victim's injury was pre-existing. If the insurance company is able to prove that the victim had a pre-existing medical condition or injury and that the motor vehcile collision did not cause any new complications, they may be able to avoid paying compensation to the victim.

To prove that the accident made your pre-existing injury or medical condition worse, you need an experienced attorney on your side. Solomon and Relihan can help, contact us today. We are Phoenix injury attorneys with more than 30 years experience helping personal injury victims in Maricopa County and throughout Arizona.

Types of Pre-Existing Injuries

Auto accidents can aggravate a wide range of pre-existing injuries. Some of the most common include:

• Herniated disks
• Head, neck, and back injuries
• Joint injuries, such as shoulders, elbows, knees and hips
• Degenerative arthritis

Pre-Existing Injuries and Car Accidents

When making an insurance claim or filing a suit after a motor vehicle accident, it is important to identify any pre-existing injuries you have and any complications that result from them. In general, the at-fault driver is not responsible for injuries or medical conditions that existed before the car accident. However, if the auto accident makes the injury worse, the at-fault driver is responsible for paying the additional lost wages, medical bills, and pain and suffering caused by the aggravation of that injury. Properly identifying and documenting the changes in your medical condition is crucial to preventing the at-fault driver's insurance company from claiming that the collision did not cause any new complications or otherwise worsen your condition.

Identifying Aggravated Pre-Existing Injuries

If you are in a car accident, see a doctor immediately. Often, the effects of a motor vehicle collision on a pre-existing injury will not be immediately apparent, and leaving an injury untreated can make it worse. Additionally, if you wait an extended period of time to see a doctor, it will help the insurance company deny your claim based on a pre-existing injury.

Contact Solomon & Relihan, Arizona Auto Accident Attorneys

If a car accident has aggravated your pre-existing injury, you should talk with an experienced attorney. For a free initial consultation with a lawyer, contact our Phoenix law firm by e-mail or by telephone. For your convenience, home and hospital visits are available upon request.