After a car accident, many people worry that an earlier back or neck problem will make it harder to pursue compensation.
If your pre-existing injury got worse after a car accident, a North Carolina car accident attorney can help you understand how this might affect your personal injury claim.
A Common (and Understandable) Worry After a Crash
It’s not unusual to worry about whether having a pre-existing injury aggravated by a car accident might limit your right to financial recovery.
This concern often arises soon after medical treatment begins or when speaking with insurance adjusters.
The good news is that understanding how prior injuries relate to accident claims can help you approach the situation with clearer expectations.
What Counts as a Pre-Existing Back or Neck Injury?
A pre-existing back or neck injury refers to a medical condition that existed before your car accident occurred.
These injuries can come from many sources, including:
- Prior collisions
- Workplace injuries
- Sports activities, or
- Degenerative conditions that develop over time.
Medical records usually document these earlier diagnoses and treatments.
North Carolina Law and Pre-Existing Injuries
Fortunately, North Carolina doesn’t automatically bar injury claims involving pre-existing conditions.
You can still pursue compensation if a car accident worsened an existing back or neck injury. In these situations, your claim will focus on the aggravation of the condition rather than the original injury itself.
How Insurance Companies Use Pre-Existing Injuries Against You
When a claimant has a prior back or neck injury, insurance companies won’t limit themselves to reviewing medical records related to post-accident treatment.
Instead, insurance adjusters will also review past medical history, including past treatments, diagnostic test results, and physician notes to look for signs that symptoms existed before the crash.
They may argue that ongoing pain, reduced mobility, or other complaints stem from the earlier condition rather than the accident.
In some cases, insurers may even claim that the collision caused little or no additional harm.
What You Can Do to Protect Your Claim
To preserve your claim after a car accident aggravates a pre-existing back or neck injury, you’ll need clear medical documentation and a record of consistent treatment.
Take these steps after a crash to help show how the accident affected your condition and how your symptoms changed afterward:
- Seek medical care as soon as possible after the accident, even if your symptoms seem similar to previous pain.
- Tell your doctor about your prior injury and explain how your condition feels different after the crash.
- Follow your treatment plan and attend recommended appointments.
- Keep notes describing any changes in your pain levels, mobility, or ability to perform daily activities.
- Contact Our North Carolina Car Accident Attorneys for Help
If you were hurt in a car crash that made an existing back or neck injury worse, you need the support of an experienced personal injury lawyer who can show the relationship between the collision and your aggravated injury.
Contact Kreger Brodish LLP today to discuss your case with a skilled North Carolina car accident attorney and get the dedicated representation you deserve.
