Car Accident Aggravated Pre-Existing Condition Settlement
Car accidents shatter lives in seconds, but for those already living with medical conditions, the consequences can be catastrophic. When a crash makes an existing problem worse, the law allows victims to pursue a car accident aggravated pre-existing condition settlement to cover the additional pain, treatment, and financial strain. At Munley Law, our role as an Allentown car accident lawyer is to show exactly how the accident intensified your condition and to fight for compensation that reflects your full losses.
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Defining Pre-Existing Conditions in Accident Claims
A pre-existing condition is any medical problem or injury a person had before the crash. In car accident cases, this often includes arthritis, prior fractures, degenerative disc disease, or other long-term health issues that can be made worse by the impact of a collision.
Insurance companies often highlight these conditions to minimize payouts, arguing the accident did not cause “new” injuries. In reality, the law recognizes that a negligent driver is still responsible if their actions made an existing issue worse.
How Pre-Existing Conditions Affect Car Accident Cases
When a collision aggravates an old injury, the legal questions shift from whether the injury existed to how much the crash worsened it. Settlement negotiations focus on measurable changes in pain, mobility, treatment requirements, and long-term outlook.
The eggshell plaintiff doctrine applies here, meaning the negligent party must “take the victim as they find them.” In other words, if someone was more vulnerable because of a prior condition, the at-fault driver is still responsible for the additional harm caused by the accident.
Examples of Pre-Existing Injuries That Affect Claims
For many people, a crash doesn’t just cause new injuries, it also makes old ones harder to live with. Common conditions that often worsen include:
- Back and neck injuries: Herniated discs or whiplash that become more painful or disabling.
- Arthritis: Joint pain significantly worsened after impact.
- Old fractures: Bones previously broken that are reinjured or weakened.
- Shoulder or knee injuries: Ligament or cartilage damage that escalates with trauma.
Proving aggravation requires comparing medical records from before and after the crash, supported by imaging studies, treatment notes, and expert testimony that demonstrate the condition has worsened.
The Role of Pre-Existing Conditions in Personal Injury Settlements
A car accident aggravated pre-existing condition settlement is designed to cover the additional medical costs, lost income, and pain and suffering caused when a crash makes an existing injury worse.
To recover compensation, victims must present clear evidence, such as medical records from before and after the accident along with expert testimony, that demonstrates how the collision aggravated the condition. Under the eggshell plaintiff doctrine, the negligent driver is held fully responsible for the increased harm, not just the underlying injury.
What You Can Recover in Aggravated Pre-Existing Condition Cases
Compensation depends on how much the accident worsened the condition. Possible recoverable damages include:
- Medical treatment costs, such as surgery, physical therapy, and medication.
- Lost wages and reduced earning capacity if the aggravated condition limits work.
- Pain and suffering for increased discomfort or disability.
- Loss of quality of life, especially if the aggravated injury reduces mobility or independence.
In Pennsylvania, the comparative negligence rule under 42 Pa.C.S. § 7102 can lower compensation when an injured person shares some responsibility for the crash. Demonstrating that the accident clearly worsened the condition is essential to obtaining a fair recovery.
How a Lawyer Helps With Pre-Existing Injury Cases
Insurance companies often claim that your pain is tied only to a prior injury, not the crash. An attorney pushes back by gathering medical records from before and after the accident, working with doctors to explain how the collision made the condition worse, and showing insurers or juries how the eggshell plaintiff rule applies in Pennsylvania.
At Munley Law, we understand that every client brings a unique medical history, and when another driver’s negligence aggravates that history, we fight to recover the full compensation you deserve.
Call an Allentown Car Accident Lawyer Today
When an accident worsens a medical condition, the financial and emotional toll can be overwhelming. At Munley Law, we know how to prove that a crash aggravated an existing injury and hold negligent drivers accountable. Our attorneys have spent decades protecting injury victims across Pennsylvania, and we are ready to guide you through every step, answer your questions, and fight for the justice you deserve.
Call 844-686-5397 today for a free consultation, and learn how we can pursue a car accident aggravated pre-existing condition settlement that reflects the true impact on your life.
Marion Munley
Marion Munley is recognized for her compassionate representation of catastrophically injured clients and her steadfast dedication to them and their families. Her advocacy has produced numerous multimillion-dollar recoveries, including one of the largest trucking accident settlements on record. Marion is Triple Board Certified by the National Board of Trial Advocacy in Civil Trial, Civil Practice, and Truck Law, and since 2023 has been named one of Pennsylvania’s Top 10 Super Lawyers by Super Lawyers.
Posted in Car Accidents.
