Can I Be Compensated For Pre-Existing Conditions After a Car Accident in Tifton, GA?
Being involved in a car accident can be a traumatic experience, and the aftermath of the incident can be even more challenging. If you have sustained any injuries due to the accident, it is possible that you may be entitled to compensation.
But what if you have a pre-existing condition prior to the accident? Can you still receive compensation for your injuries? Contact us at The King Firm to schedule a free consultation with one of our experienced car accident attorneys in Tifton, GA, to discuss your options. Call us at (229) 386-1376.
How The King Firm Can Help After an Accident in Tifton, GA
If you are in need of a skilled civil trial lawyer to get the most out of your case, then look no further. Some of the reasons to hire our experienced Tifton car accident attorneys after an accident include:
- With 16 years of combined experience, we have the knowledge and resources to recover compensation on your behalf.
- We have recovered millions of dollars for our clients throughout the years.
- One of our lead attorneys has many years of experience as a former insurance defense attorney, which gives him invaluable insight when preparing your case.
If you have any questions or need help with a personal injury claim in Tifton, GA, contact The King Firm for a free consultation with one of our car accident lawyers.
How Common Are Car Accidents in Tifton and the State of Georgia?
Unfortunately, car accidents are all too common and can have lasting impacts on a person’s mental and physical health. Many of the resulting injuries ultimately lead to further complications, such as chronic conditions ranging from back pain to mental health disorders.
Regarding Tifton and the State of Georgia, in particular, consider the following statistics:
- In 2020, there were 1,664 traffic fatalities in Georgia.
- In 2021, Tifton had 851 traffic accidents. These accidents involved 1,635 vehicles.
- If the accidents in 2021 involved only Tifton residents, this would mean that 9.5% of Tifton’s residents got into a traffic accident in 2021.
It’s not possible to say how many of these car accidents involved pre-existing conditions, but it’s likely that many of them did. Understanding how car accident claims and pre-existing conditions intersect is essential.
What Is a Pre-Existing Condition?
A pre-existing condition refers to a physical or mental health issue that existed before the current incident occurred. One of the most common examples of a pre-existing condition is back pain. Back pain is often caused by wear and tear on the spine over time, due to aging or poor posture, as well as certain diseases like arthritis or degenerative disc disease.
Other common examples include chronic headaches, neck pain, shoulder pain, and sciatica.
Another example of a pre-existing condition is depression or anxiety. These conditions can be harder to prove because they are invisible illnesses that cannot be seen on any kind of test. However, these conditions can still be attributed to an accident if there is evidence that it was caused by trauma experienced during the crash.
Recovering Compensation for an Aggravated Pre-Existing Condition
If you are involved in an auto accident in Tifton, GA, and your pre-existing condition has been made worse by the crash, then you may have grounds for filing a lawsuit against the party who caused your injuries. This is because of a doctrine known as the eggshell skull doctrine.
What Is the Eggshell Skull Doctrine?
The eggshell skull doctrine makes a defendant liable for a plaintiff’s uncommon and unforeseeable injuries that result from the defendant’s negligence. It aims to protect those with pre-existing conditions and ensure they receive fair treatment in the event of an accident or injury. This means that victims who have a higher susceptibility to injury than the average person are still entitled to receive compensation for any injuries they sustain.
How Does The Eggshell Skull Doctrine Work?
For this doctrine to apply, the victim’s injury or health condition must have been stable prior to the incident, and there should not have been any indication that it would worsen.
For example, someone with osteoporosis might break their leg in a car accident when someone without osteoporosis wouldn’t suffer such an injury, but if the person with osteoporosis was otherwise healthy and stable, they should still be entitled to full compensation under this doctrine.
In most cases, attorneys will need expert witnesses, usually doctors, who can testify about the victim’s current condition and how it was affected by the accident. This is why it’s important for victims of car accidents who have pre-existing conditions to speak with an attorney as soon as possible. All evidence must be collected and presented properly when seeking damages from insurance companies or other parties at fault for causing the injury.
Schedule a Free Consultation With Our Car Accident Lawyers in Tifton, GA
If you were involved in a car accident in Tifton, GA, and have experienced an aggravation of a pre-existing condition, it is possible to be compensated for your injury. Don’t let previous medical conditions prevent you from fighting for what is rightfully yours after a car accident.
Contact The King Firm to schedule a free consultation with one of our experienced car accident lawyers.