What If a Car Accident Worsened My Pre-Existing Injury?

Car accidents are a leading cause of accidental injuries in the US each year. Any crash can potentially cause life-changing injuries, but you may wonder, “What if a car accident worsened my pre-existing injury?” The answer depends on the severity of the damage done, your state’s car accident laws, and how you will need to prove that the other driver’s actions directly resulted in your pre-existing injury worsening.

What If a Car Accident Worsened My Pre-Existing Injury?

Car accidents can easily result in life-changing injuries, but they may also exacerbate existing injuries. If you live in a state that follows fault-based car accident laws, then you are likely eligible to claim compensation for your damages from the at-fault driver. However, if you intend to seek compensation for the accident worsening a pre-existing injury, then you will need to show clear proof of the increased harm that was done to you.

The National Safety Council reported that in 2024, car accidents caused about 4.9 million medically consulted injuries nationwide. If you believe that the driver who caused your accident made a pre-existing injury worse, then you should hire a car accident lawyer as soon as possible who can gather the evidence needed to prove liability and assess your total claimable damages.

You won’t be able to claim compensation for the baseline pre-existing injury, so you will need to prove how the accident made your injury worse. A car accident attorney can secure medical records and other evidence to help you prove just how much the accident has affected you. For example, you may need to prove that you now face increased medical expenses, require surgery, or face a diminished capacity to work due to the accident.

Why You Should Hire a Car Accident Lawyer

It is always a good idea to have legal counsel you can trust on your side for a car accident claim, but experienced legal representation will be especially important if you believe the at-fault driver made a pre-existing injury worse. You will need to work quickly to gather evidence and build the foundation of your case, prove how the accident has affected your life, and calculate the total damages you are eligible to claim.

Auto insurance is typically your first recovery option after a car accident in most states, and an insurance claim adjuster may attempt to claim that your increased pain is the natural result of your pre-existing injury. Insurance companies attempt to resolve injury claims for as little as possible, so you need to hire a car accident lawyer you can trust to prove the truth of your situation and help you secure appropriate compensation.

Ultimately, you’re likely to have many complex legal questions after a car accident that has exacerbated a pre-existing injury. Facing insurance companies on your own while struggling with your injury would be extremely difficult, and the team at Bliven Law Firm, P.C. is here to help. We have more than 30 years of experience representing car accident victims throughout Montana, so contact us today to schedule a free consultation with our team.

Kalispell Office

704 South Main Street
Kalispell, MT 59901

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202 North Main Street
Suite 1
Boardman, OR 97818