When you are injured in a car accident caused by another driver, you will need to make many decisions that impact your health and your right to compensation for your injuries. Decisions that seem easy on the surface can significantly affect your ability to obtain fair compensation to cover your medical expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering. One decision that you shouldn’t make without the help of an experienced car accident attorney is whether to sign a medical release form sent to you by the negligent driver’s insurance company. Our free referral service will connect you with an attorney who can help guide you through the process and fight for the compensation you deserve and a doctor who can properly treat your injuries.
3 Reasons NOT to Sign a Medical Authorization for the Insurance Company
The negligent driver’s insurance adjuster may tell you that he needs your medical records to settle your claim. While this is true, there are other reasons he wants you to sign a medical release that may not be in your best interest:
- Prior medical history. The medical authorization is a blanket consent that allows the insurance company to obtain your prior medical records. The insurance adjuster can then review your records, looking for previous injuries to the same body part that was injured in your crash, and then try to claim that your car accident injuries were caused by a pre-existing medical condition.
- Doctor’s notes. By signing the medical release, you are also giving the insurance company access to your doctor’s notes. The insurance adjuster will likely compare them to other statements you made about the accident or your injuries. If your statements are inconsistent with the doctor’s notes, the insurance company could use them to question your credibility and claim that your injuries aren’t as significant as you say they are.
- Sensitive information. If you sign a medical authorization to give the insurance company access to your medical records, they can obtain private and sensitive information about you that is unrelated to your current injuries or claim. You do not have to give up your privacy to receive what you are entitled to from the at-fault driver.
Let Us Help You Get the Legal and Medical Help You Need
If the insurance company sends you a medical release form, your best strategy is to retain an experienced car accident attorney to protect your privacy and ensure the insurance company only gets access to the medical records needed to handle your claim. But when you are coping with injuries in the aftermath of an accident, it can be challenging to find the help you need. That’s where we come in; call 763-251-PAIN today to take advantage of our free attorney referral service. And if you are looking for an excellent doctor to treat your car accident injuries, we can help you with that too.