You may need new treatment, miss work, or face pain you were not dealing with before the crash. Insurance companies may still try to claim your symptoms came from your old condition. Regan Zambri Long’s Alexandria car accident lawyers can help you understand whether the crash aggravated your pre-existing condition and what compensation may be available.
Our attorneys bring almost 200 years of combined experience to serious car accident claims. We have achieved multiple million-dollar recoveries for car accident victims across the region, and are consistently named among the Best Law Firms in America. All our attorneys are also named among the Best Lawyers in the District of Columbia for Personal Injury Litigation, giving injured clients experienced support when the cause, severity, or value of their injuries is disputed.
If you have a pre-existing condition that was aggravated by a car accident in Alexandria, contact Regan Zambri Long today, and one of our attorneys will personally reach out for a free consultation. We’re available 24/7, and there’s no fee unless we win your case.
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Pre-existing injuries cover a range of conditions and injuries, many of which can be aggravated by a car crash. However, some of the most common include:
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimate that 3 out of 4 Americans have some kind of chronic condition, while a National Institutes of Health (NIH) study found that approximately 20% of Americans deal with chronic pain. While these are pre-existing conditions, events such as car accidents can make these medical conditions worse, causing more pain and suffering for the victim.
Many conditions can be successfully managed to minimize pain and allow the victim to go about daily life. However, when a condition is aggravated, the accident victim may find they can no longer continue their routine. In such cases, injured people are entitled to compensation.
Whether your condition has been successfully managed for a while or is still relatively new, if an Alexandria, VA, car crash worsens it, you can seek compensation for the additional pain and suffering. Your medical records and medical provider can prove that the accident aggravated your condition or injury.
For insurance claim purposes, a pre-existing condition is any injury or ailment that existed before the accident. While an insurance company may try to deny liability because of a pre-existing condition, your auto injury lawyer will work with medical professionals and your medical records to prove that your injury was managed successfully and that the car accident aggravated your pain. Victims are allowed to recover compensation for old and current injuries.
Yes, car accidents are known for aggravating old back injuries and conditions, including degenerative disc disease. Alexandria accident victims who suffer from this condition often find that even mild whiplash exacerbates the pain they already experience or even adds a new diagnosis. Degenerative disc disease is a type of intervertebral disc disease, a condition estimated to affect about 5% of people in developed countries each year. Victims may find themselves diagnosed with one of the following back disorders:
When an auto accident aggravates your degenerative disc disease, you are entitled to seek damages from the liable party.
You can and should file a personal injury claim after a car crash, even if you have a pre-existing medical condition. Liable parties must pay compensation for all the injuries they caused, even if the accident worsened a health condition or previous injury. Compensation should cover medical bills, physical therapy, lost wages, and additional pain and suffering, among other economic and non-economic damages.
After seeking medical treatment after an auto accident, your next step should be to seek legal representation. Personal injury cases can be overwhelming, but they are a crucial part of ensuring that the victim has the means to heal.
If the at-fault party tries to dissuade you from filing a car accident claim, avoid making any agreements without discussing it with your Alexandria car accident injury lawyer first. Insurance companies are known for offering minimum settlements that don’t cover medical bills and other losses. Your Alexandria car accident lawyer will ensure that you recover the maximum compensation you deserve.
Also called the eggshell skull rule or thin skull rule, this legal principle states that the liable party is responsible for the harm they cause, regardless of the victim’s medical history. It recognizes that an event such as a car accident can add pain and suffering that the victim would not have suffered, even with their pre-existing condition. A personal injury case can hold the at-fault party accountable for the injuries and require them to pay damages to the injured person.
It is common for insurance companies to attempt to limit their losses by claiming that your car accident pain and suffering are actually from your pre-existing condition. However, you are entitled to compensation if the car accident has aggravated or worsened your condition.
While an insurance company might try to deny your insurance claim, you have a legal right to pursue damages. You will want to consult with a Regan Zambri Long Alexandria personal injury attorney immediately to ensure the insurance company pays the damages you are owed.
One of the most essential things your Alexandria personal injury attorney will help you with is proving that your pre-existing condition was made worse by the accident. They will consult with medical experts and use your medical records to show that your condition was being treated and managed and has been aggravated in the auto accident.
An experienced personal injury lawyer will handle most of your claim, allowing you to seek medical attention and recovery in peace. This will include settlement negotiations with insurance companies and other lawyers or taking your case to trial if necessary.
Your lawyer will also be essential in working with medical professionals to value your claim. You are entitled to compensation that covers your medical expenses, property damage, and other losses. Calculating how much future challenges and pain are worth can be challenging, but your lawyer can value your case accurately.
At-fault drivers may try to avoid liability, but your personal injury lawyer will ensure they are held responsible for the harm they have caused.
A car accident is overwhelming enough, but when you or your loved one has a pre-existing injury that has been aggravated, seeking compensation can feel impossible.
Regan Zambri Long’s car accident injury law firm is experienced in personal injury claims and can recover compensation on your behalf. With almost 30 years of experience in Alexandria, VA, we have achieved over $1 billion in settlements and verdicts for personal injury clients across Northern Virginia, DC, and Maryland.
Our law firm is the best of the best, regularly recognized by the press and peers alike. Washingtonian Magazine has called Patrick Regan “one of the most successful advocates for clients in negligence” and has recognized Salvatore Zambri as a “one of Washington’s best, most honest and effective lawyers.” Our three board-certified founding partners are AV Preeminent Rated by Martindale-Hubbell, the highest peer-reviewed rating for legal ability and ethical standards. All six partners have been included among the 500 Leading Plaintiff Consumer Lawyers in America, and three partners are named among the Top 100 Super Lawyers in Washington, DC.
We work on a contingency fee basis, meaning we don’t get paid until we recover in your favor. When you or a loved one have suffered further harm after a car accident, look no further than Regan Zambri Long. We will meet with you for a free consultation and case evaluation. Whatever your pre-existing injury, you deserve compensation. Let us pursue justice for you.
Motor vehicle accidents can inflict a wide range of physical and psychological injuries, ranging from minor to life-threatening. These injuries can profoundly impact a victim’s life, affecting their physical health, emotional well-being, and financial stability.
Have you or your loved one sustained injuries in Washington DC, Maryland or Virginia? Regan Zambri Long PLLC has the best lawyers in the country to analyze your case and answer the questions you may have.