What if Another Driver Requests My Medical Records After an Accident?
After finding yourself in an accident, it is not uncommon for insurance adjustors from the side of the other driver to get in touch with you with requests for information, specifically, your medical records. Under no circumstances should you provide them with this information. Before you send an opposing side’s insurance adjustor any kind of information you should always consult with a lawyer first, but in particular, medical records are a prime piece of evidence for the other driver to use against you in court, or at the very least, interpret in such a manner that they will try to pay you less for damages owed. This is not to say that there are never circumstances under which you should provide medical records to the other side’s insurance adjustors, but those circumstances are few and far between. When they do arise, before doing so, you should consult with your attorney, and the release of said documents must be signed before anything contained in the records is seen by the other side. If these steps are not taken, and you sign over your medical records without the help of a lawyer who is skilled and experienced in the particulars of these matters, you will hurt your case before it has even begun.
It is understandable that these issues can seem complex, and when you are dealing with another side’s lawyers and insurance agents, people who are skilled at manipulating a situation for their client’s ultimate benefit, as well as their own, it can be difficult to discern when you should provide information and when you should not. Keep yourself in the know, and protected, by hiring an attorney early in the process. A good personal injury lawyer does more than simply try to get you the damages owed to you. A good auto accident personal injury lawyer will guide you through all of the thorny legal issues and procedures facing you, as well as protect you from the other side’s tactics to limit the extent of your claim, or even dismiss it outright. If you have suffered harm for which you are not liable, you deserve full and just compensation for injuries suffered, damages incurred, and costs and financial losses, both those already experienced, and those that are to come. You should not have to suffer any more than you already have.
When looking for a new lawyer, the process can be intimidating. If you live in a major metropolis like Los Angeles, or a sprawling suburb with urban elements like Orange County, separating the wheat from the chaff can be difficult since there are so many personal injury lawyers and auto accident attorneys out there. A great place to start is with the California Attorney Group. Their lawyers have extensive trial and settlement experience, handling a variety of cases, but having a solid grounding in auto accident law and personal injury claims. Free consultations are also available. Whether you decide to go forth in pursuit of your claim with one of their lawyers, or decide to go elsewhere, they will steer you in the right direction, and make sure you are aware of how to protect yourself when dealing with the details of an auto accident claim. So remember, protect your medical records, find a good lawyer, and you will be on your way to receiving the just compensation you are owed.
