Skip to content
Your accident or injury history can affect how an insurance company views your personal injury claim. Past injuries may lead adjusters to argue that your current pain was not caused by the accident. Understanding how your history comes into play helps you prepare for conversations with insurers and gather the medical documentation needed to support your case.
Speak with a Port St. Lucie personal injury attorney from Lytal, Reiter, Smith, Ivey & Fronrath if you’re not sure how your past injuries may influence your claim.
How do pre-existing conditions affect a personal injury claim in Florida?
Pre-existing conditions can influence a personal injury claim because the insurance company may argue that your symptoms were already present. In Florida, the eggshell plaintiff rule still protects you. This rule requires the at-fault party to take you as they find you, meaning they are responsible for injuries made worse by a prior condition.
Even with this protection, an insurance adjuster may claim your injuries stem from your medical history rather than the accident. To address this, you and your attorney will review your medical records to determine what changed after the collision and what portion of your pain is linked to the new injury.
How can past accidents or injuries impact your credibility?
Accident history can affect your personal injury case because insurers may question whether your injuries are new, related, or exaggerated. A long record of prior claims can also prompt an insurer to challenge your credibility.
Seeking prompt medical treatment and providing detailed medical records can help show the true impact of the new accident. If you have had similar injuries before, your attorney may gather additional medical evidence or witness statements to show how this event changed your condition.
How do medical records and medical history affect your injury claim?
Medical records play a major role in a Port St. Lucie personal injury claim because they show the extent of your injuries, your medical history, and any changes caused by the accident. This medical documentation helps differentiate old symptoms from new ones.
These records show the evaluations and treatment notes from your physicians, which support your claims for medical treatment costs and pain and suffering. They may also help estimate future medical needs.
Your baseline health at the time of the accident also matters. If you had a pre-existing condition, insurers may use it to deny liability. Your medical documentation helps counter common insurance company tactics by showing exactly how the accident worsened your condition.
How can you strengthen your case if you have a history of accidents?
You can strengthen your case by maintaining detailed records, following all medical treatment recommendations, and working closely with an experienced personal injury attorney. These steps help show which injuries are linked to the accident and support your overall credibility.
Provide detailed medical records
If a prior injury becomes worse after an accident, detailed medical records help show the difference. For example, if lingering back pain later turns into a herniated disc after a car accident, your older and newer records can show what changed. This medical evidence helps clarify which symptoms were pre-existing and which were caused by the crash.
Shift the focus
If your history raises questions about credibility, your attorney may place additional focus on proving the other party’s liability. You can help by keeping your own notes, collecting evidence, and following your treatment plan. Your lawyer may then gather witness statements, surveillance footage, or expert opinions to build a strong case and avoid reductions under Florida’s comparative negligence rules.
How a Port St. Lucie personal injury attorney can help
A personal injury lawyer on our team can explain how your accident history might influence your claim and help you gather the documentation you need. We understand which records matter most and how to respond when insurance companies question your injuries. You can contact Lytal, Reiter, Smith, Ivey & Fronrath at (561) 655-1990 or complete our interest form online to schedule a free case consultation.