The Hidden Impact of Prior Medical Conditions on Car Accident Claims

If you’ve been injured in a car accident, you may assume that the insurance company will evaluate your claim based solely on the injuries caused by the crash. Unfortunately, it’s not that simple — especially if you have a prior medical condition.

Insurance companies routinely use prior injuries and medical issues to try to reduce the value of your claim or deny it entirely. Even if the car accident clearly aggravated a pre-existing condition, they may argue that your problems weren’t caused by the crash.

Understanding how prior medical conditions can affect your car accident claim is key to protecting your right to full compensation. In this blog, we’ll explore common challenges, legal protections, and what you can do to strengthen your case. If you were injured in a crash, call a Charleston motor vehicle accident attorney. 

How Prior Medical Conditions Affect Injury Claims

Insurance adjusters often look for anything they can use to limit their payout. If your medical history includes prior injuries or chronic health conditions, they may claim that:

• Your pain or disability is primarily due to your pre-existing condition, not the accident.
• The accident did not worsen your condition.
• You would have experienced these symptoms even without the crash.

In other words, they’ll argue that you were already injured, so the car accident shouldn’t be fully blamed for your current condition — even if you were living a normal life before the crash.

Common Examples of Targeted Prior Conditions

Here are some common types of prior medical issues that insurance companies scrutinize in car accident claims:

1. Back and Neck Problems

• Degenerative disc disease
• Prior herniated discs
• Old whiplash injuries

Why they target it: Back and neck injuries are common in car accidents and can be hard to objectively measure. If your medical records mention previous back or neck problems, the insurer will likely argue that your current pain isn’t from the crash.

2. Joint Injuries and Arthritis

• Previous knee, shoulder, or hip injuries
• Arthritis or joint degeneration

Why they target it: Insurers may claim that joint pain is due to aging or arthritis rather than trauma from the accident.

3. Concussions and Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBI)

• Prior concussions or head injuries
• Migraines or neurological symptoms

Why they target it: Brain injuries can cause subtle symptoms like memory loss, headaches, and mood changes. If you had any history of similar issues, the insurer may argue they weren’t caused by the crash.

4. Mental Health Conditions

• Anxiety
• Depression
• PTSD

Why they target it: Emotional distress damages are often disputed. If you had any prior mental health diagnosis, the insurer may downplay new emotional trauma from the accident.

The “Eggshell Plaintiff” Rule: Legal Protection for Injury Victims

Here’s what many accident victims don’t realize: The law protects you even if you had a pre-existing condition.

Under the legal principle known as the eggshell plaintiff doctrine, a negligent driver is responsible for the full extent of harm they cause — even if the victim was more susceptible to injury than the average person.

In other words, if the car accident aggravated your pre-existing condition or made it worse, you can still recover damages for that worsening. The at-fault party must take you as they find you.

For example:

• If you had a prior back injury that was stable, and the accident caused new pain or required surgery, the negligent driver can be held liable for the worsening of your back condition.
• If you had mild anxiety and the crash triggered full-blown PTSD, that new harm is compensable.

Key point: You are entitled to be compensated for the difference between your condition before the crash and after the crash — even if you weren’t in perfect health to begin with.

Challenges in Proving Aggravation of a Prior Condition

Despite the legal protections in place, insurers still aggressively argue that your problems were pre-existing and unrelated to the accident. This creates several challenges:

1. Medical Complexity

It can be difficult to clearly separate “old” injuries from “new” ones. Many people have some degeneration or prior issues, especially as they age.

2. Incomplete Medical Records

If you didn’t regularly seek treatment for a prior condition, there may be limited documentation to prove it was stable before the crash.

3. Delays in Treatment

If you delay getting treatment after the accident, the insurer may argue that any worsening wasn’t due to the crash.

4. Prejudiced Juries

In some cases, juries may be sympathetic to the argument that a plaintiff was already injured — making it harder to win full damages without a strong case.

How to Strengthen Your Claim

If you have a prior medical condition, it’s critical to take proactive steps to protect your injury claim:

1. Be Honest About Your Medical History

Never try to hide prior injuries. If the insurance company discovers undisclosed conditions, your credibility can be damaged. Be upfront with your lawyer and your doctors.

2. Document Your Pre-Accident Condition

If possible, gather medical records that show the state of your prior condition before the crash. For example:

• Notes from your doctor stating your prior injury was healed or stable
• Records showing you were able to work or engage in normal activities

3. Get Prompt, Consistent Medical Treatment

See a doctor as soon as possible after the accident. Follow your treatment plan carefully. Consistent medical records help show that your new symptoms are related to the crash, not unrelated events.

4. Work With an Experienced Personal Injury Lawyer

Car accident claims involving pre-existing conditions are more complex and heavily contested. An experienced lawyer knows how to:

• Work with medical experts to prove aggravation of prior conditions
• Counter the insurer’s arguments about pre-existing injuries
• Present a clear and compelling case to maximize your compensation

Don’t let an insurance company convince you that your injuries “don’t count” just because you had a prior medical condition. If the accident made your condition worse or caused new problems, you have the right to seek full and fair compensation.

At Roden Law, we fight for injury victims with complex cases — including those with pre-existing conditions. If you’ve been hurt in a car crash and are worried about how your medical history will affect your claim, contact us today for a free consultation. We’ll help you understand your rights and build the strongest possible case.