How a Previous Auto Accident May Affect Your Current Personal Injury Claim

If you’ve been in a car accident before, you may wonder how it affects a new personal injury claim. In Maryland, insurance companies and courts pay close attention to a person’s medical history, including past accidents. Understanding how your previous accident might come into play can help you protect your rights and strengthen your case.

Your Medical History Matters

When you file a personal injury claim, your medical history is part of the evaluation. Doctors and insurance adjusters will review previous injuries to determine whether your current symptoms are new or related to an earlier accident.

For example, if you have lingering back pain from a prior collision, the other side may argue that your current injury isn’t fully caused by the recent accident.

It’s important to provide complete and accurate information. Hiding past injuries can hurt your credibility, while transparency allows your attorney to explain how your current injury is distinct and compensable.

How Insurance Companies Handle Previous Accidents

Insurance companies may try to reduce your claim by pointing to prior accidents. They might argue that some or all of your damages are pre-existing. This is why documentation is crucial.

Keep anything related to:

• Medical records
• Accident reports
• Prior treatment notes

Your attorney can work with medical experts to demonstrate that your current pain, limitations, or medical needs are a direct result of the new accident. This evidence is often essential in maximizing compensation.

Establishing a Clear Timeline

One key strategy is establishing a clear timeline of your injuries and treatments. Showing exactly when symptoms began and how they have changed over time helps separate your current injury from prior issues. For example, if you were treated for a minor neck strain two years ago, but your current accident caused a significant herniated disc, your attorney can highlight the difference in severity and treatment needs.

Working With a Maryland Personal Injury Attorney

A previous accident doesn’t automatically reduce your ability to recover damages, but it does make the claims process more complex. That’s why working with an experienced Maryland personal injury attorney is important. Attorneys can collect the right medical evidence, prepare expert testimony, and anticipate arguments the insurance company may make about pre-existing conditions.

To protect your claim, keep careful records of all treatments and medical visits. Prior accidents don’t automatically weaken your claim, as long as you can show that your current injury is unrelated.

Never make statements to insurance companies without consulting your attorney, as even casual comments can be used against you.

If you’ve been in a recent accident and have a history of prior collisions, it’s important to get professional guidance. Shugarman & Mehring helps Maryland residents navigate these situations. Contact us today to schedule a consultation and ensure your personal injury claim is handled properly.