A motor vehicle accident can be a life-altering experience, and this is especially true for individuals already dealing with pre-existing illnesses or injuries when the accident occurs. The aftermath can exacerbate existing conditions, leading to prolonged recovery and the necessity for additional medical care.
Despite having a pre-existing injury, it is important to note that eligibility for filing a car accident claim to recover compensation related to new or worsened injuries caused by a car accident is not automatically ruled out. To ensure a fair and timely recovery process, seeking guidance from seasoned injury attorneys in Hartford is highly recommended.
Understanding Pre-Existing Conditions
A condition may be considered “pre-existing” if the health issue, medical ailment, or injury occurred before the car accident. A chronic illness, such as arthritis, or even a previous injury, such as a torn ligament, can be considered a pre-existing condition if it existed before your car accident.
Schedule a free legal consultation with our personal injury team.
How Pre-Existing Conditions Can Impact Your Case
While many car accident claims are complex, cases involving pre-existing conditions add a layer of complication. Injury attorneys in Hartford representing defendants may argue that post-accident injuries or symptoms are a result of pre-existing conditions that the car accident victim had rather than their client’s fault.
For this reason, seeking guidance from a skilled legal team is imperative. Your Hartford car accident lawyers will help ensure you have the evidence needed to prove that your injuries and health conditions were made worse due to the defendant’s reckless or negligent actions.
The Importance of Strong Evidence
When filing a car accident claim, you must provide strong evidence that the defendant was responsible for the accident that caused your injuries and damages. This becomes even more true in cases with pre-existing injuries. For a successful outcome, you must demonstrate a connection between the accident and the exacerbation of pre-existing conditions.
Here is why evidence is vital for your case.
Medical Records
Comprehensive medical records outline the care you received for pre-existing injuries and provide a timeline of the injury’s status during the last treatment. Immediate post-accident medical attention records can spotlight new injuries or worsening symptoms, reinforcing your car accident claim.
Expert Opinions
Testimonies from medical professionals specializing in the relevant field add credibility to your case. Expert opinions can help solidify the link between the accident and the aggravation of pre-existing injuries, countering any doubts about causation.
Visual Documentation
Visual evidence, such as photographs of the accident scene, injuries, and how your injuries worsened after the crash, serves as a powerful narrative. It provides a tangible representation supporting your claim against the defendant and enhances the overall strength of your case.
Consistent Record-Keeping
It is vital to maintain clear medical records of your pre-existing conditions and how they worsened after your accident. You also want to detail any new injuries that you suffered. Thorough record-keeping helps demonstrate how the accident has affected your pre-existing injuries or conditions and any new medical care you require.
Proof of Causation
Evidence is crucial in proving that the defendant’s actions directly caused your injuries or worsened pre-existing conditions. A solid case requires a clear demonstration that, had the accident not occurred, the new injuries or symptoms would not be a concern.
Working with injury attorneys in Hartford will ensure you have the evidence you need to demonstrate negligence to recover fair compensation for your damages and losses.
Damages You Can Recover
In the aftermath of a car accident, the recoverable damages in your car accident lawsuit can address the various damages you face, both economic and non-economic. These include:
- Lost Wages: If you had to take time off work for medical treatment, surgery, or other care related to your injuries, you could recover compensation for any wages you lost. If you were deemed permanently disabled due to your injuries, our Hartford car accident lawyers can help you recover compensation for your lost earning capacity.
- Medical Costs: You can seek compensation for medical expenses incurred following the accident. This includes immediate costs, long-term care expenses, and expenditures on medical devices and related necessities.
- Loss of Enjoyment of Life: Should your injuries hinder your engagement in activities or adversely affect your overall well-being, this damage can help you address the loss of enjoyment in your life caused by the accident.
- Property Damages: If the accident damages your property, initiating a car accident claim allows you to obtain the necessary funds for repairing or replacing the affected belongings.
- Pain and Suffering: Your ability to recover compensation extends to the physical and emotional toll caused by your injuries. Factors such as the nature of the injuries, duration of treatment, and other relevant considerations contribute to determining the compensation for both physical and emotional suffering.
- Loss of Consortium: In cases where your injuries impact familial relations, resulting in a loss of compassion or parental guidance, seeking compensation for the loss of consortium is a valid aspect of your car accident claim.
To protect your rights, contact our dedicated injury attorneys in Hartford immediately.
Call Our Hartford Car Accident Lawyers Today
When it comes to car accidents, knowing your rights and having a team of dedicated lawyers to fight for them is crucial. At Jonathan Perkins Injury Lawyers, we understand how challenging it can be to recover fair compensation if you have pre-existing conditions or injuries. That’s why our experienced Hartford car accident lawyers are ready to fight for you and ensure that the responsible party is held accountable for their actions.
With offices all over Connecticut and a team of skilled attorneys fearless about taking on insurance companies, we can help you obtain maximum compensation for your injuries. Contact us now to schedule a free consultation and let the Power of Perkins protect your rights.
