Hurt in an accident you didn't cause? California law gives you the right to seek compensation from the at-fault party.
Medical records are key evidence in personal injury cases like these, so as soon as you file a claim against the other driver's insurance, an adjuster will contact you with a release request. They'll tell you they need these records to verify your injuries and process your claim, which sounds reasonable. What they won't tell you is that the release forms they've given you could provide access to your entire private medical history—and not just the records pertaining to your injury claim. While it's necessary to release some medical information in a personal injury case, releasing too much could jeopardize your right to recovery.
After an Accident, the Insurance Company Isn't Your Friend
Even if the adjuster handling your claim seems friendly—they aren't your friend. These profit-driven businesses are primarily concerned with maintaining their bottom line and, sadly, fairly compensating accident victims doesn't lend itself to that goal. As a result, insurers train adjusters to actively look for ways to reduce or eliminate their financial obligations to injury victims. One of the most successful ways to do this is to trick you into releasing your entire medical history. Adjusters then comb through the records looking for ways to blame the accident-related medical issues on past injuries or preexisting conditions.
Don't let this happen to you. Decline to release your medical records until you've consulted with an experienced personal injury attorney about your case. A seasoned California attorney can help you determine which records should be provided and what records are completely irrelevant to the case. We treasure our privacy, but the insurance companies want you to open yourself to their access to all records.
Consult Our Dedicated Injury Recovery Professionals About Your California Crash Case
At the Inland Empire Law Group, our exceptional, well-versed personal injury attorneys know the tricks insurance companies use to pay accident victims less than they deserve. Hire us to represent you and we'll handle all communications with the at-fault party's insurer, so you don't have to. Contact us today at (888) 694-3529 or (909) 481-0100 to schedule an appointment for a complimentary initial consultation.
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