No, insurance companies should never get all your medical records. They need only those related to your injuries from the accident when the time is right.
You should not sign a release that covers their access to all your records. Instead, you should seek the help of a personal injury attorney that will gather and provide the insurance company with the documents related to your accident. These might include your initial diagnosis report, treatment records, prescriptions, surgery records, etc.
An insurance company should never be able to view records from your past. Do not disclose information about preexisting conditions or anything that could affect your claim.
In 1996, the federal law Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) was passed to protect individuals’ medical records and information. This act requires national guidelines for the protection of such information.
It applies to all healthcare providers, which means that to release your information to anyone (insurance companies, lawyers, etc.), you must provide them with a signed HIPAA form.
If you are unsure what you can release, discuss your questions with a Patterson Law Group lawyer. They will help you decide what records are related to your accident and could help increase your claim. They will also deal with the insurance companies to ensure that you don’t lose important information.
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Why the Insurance Companies Need Your Medical Records
When you are in a car accident, you are likely to suffer an injury. In 2019 alone, the United States saw 1,949,588 crashes that caused injury or death. According to the Texas Department of Transportation, “256,338 people were injured in Texas motor vehicle traffic crashes in 2019.”
Some of the most common injuries seen in these accidents include:
- Head and brain injuries
- Neck and back injuries
- Chest and rib injuries
- Pelvic and abdominal injuries
- Leg and knee injuries
- Foot and ankle injuries
- Emotional and psychological problems
If you have been injured in a car accident, you will need medical treatment for your injuries and documentation of the severity to which you were injured.
After receiving treatment, you will have multiple medical records. These records will contain all information about your state of health after the accident, what treatment was given, and potential ongoing treatment for your injuries.
Insurance companies want to see your current and past medical records to limit their liability for your injuries. They are trying to determine if your injuries were caused by the car accident or before the accident.
Insurance companies will l do everything in their power to pay the least amount possible. These companies want to make money, not lose it.
Because of this tendency, you should discuss your case with a personal injury lawyer near you before you turn over your medical records.
Should I Release My Medical Records to Another Driver’s Insurance Company?
You should not release your medical records to another driver’s insurance company until you have spoken to a lawyer. The other driver’s insurance company wants to pay as little as possible for the damage caused and will likely attempt less your injuries.
If the opposing insurance company asks you to provide records, seek guidance from an expert personal injury lawyer in your area.
Never sign a medical release that the other driver’s insurance company sends you. Instead, talk to a lawyer at Patterson Law Group and let them help you determine the records you should provide and when to offer them.
In some cases, you will want to wait until you have received further treatment before releasing records. This may help you earn all the compensation you deserve in a personal injury case due to ongoing treatments.
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Contact a Texas Personal Injury Lawyer Today
If you have been in a motor vehicle accident near Fort Worth, Texas, CallPatterson Law Group at (817) 784-2000. Our attorneys are passionate about getting justice for our clients, and we won’t take a penny unless we win your case!
We won’t allow insurance companies to take advantage of you and try to steal away your private medical records. Accidents are stressful enough without having to worry about insurance companies taking advantage of you. A Patterson Law Group attorney will be there for you to deal with insurance companies every step of the way.
If you are concerned about dealing with insurance after your accident, know that you are not alone. Get in touch with us today to get the help you need to finish your case and get your life back on track.
