Can You Recover Compensation If You Had an Injury Before an Uber or Lyft Crash?
A common issue in Texas rideshare injury claims is whether an accident caused a new injury or made an existing condition worse.
After a crash, insurance companies may review a person’s medical history and argue that certain symptoms were caused by a previous injury, age-related changes, or a condition that existed before the collision.
However, having a pre-existing condition does not automatically prevent you from recovering compensation. Texas law recognizes that negligent parties must take injured people as they find them. This principle is commonly known as the eggshell plaintiff doctrine.
If a negligent driver causes an accident that aggravates, accelerates, or worsens a pre-existing condition, the responsible party may still be liable for the additional harm caused by the crash.
How Insurance Companies Challenge Pre-Existing Conditions
Insurance companies often investigate whether an injury is related to the accident by reviewing factors such as:
- Prior medical records
- Previous injuries
- Treatment history
- Diagnostic imaging
- Medical opinions
- Changes in symptoms before and after the crash
A history of back pain, arthritis, prior injuries, or degenerative conditions does not necessarily mean the accident did not cause harm. The important question is whether the collision contributed to the injury or made the condition worse.
Building Evidence to Support Your Injury Claim
Comparing Medical Records Before and After the Crash
A detailed review of medical records can help show important differences between your condition before and after the accident, including:
- Changes in pain levels
- New symptoms
- Increased treatment needs
- Limitations on physical activities
- Additional diagnoses or procedures
Medical Expert Opinions
Doctors and medical specialists can help explain whether a collision caused an injury or aggravated an existing condition.
Medical evidence may address:
- Whether the accident caused or contributed to the injury
- Whether treatment was reasonable and necessary
- Whether the condition affects future health and daily activities
Documenting Changes in Daily Life
Injury claims are not only about medical diagnoses. They are also about how the injury affects your ability to live and work.
Important evidence may include changes involving:
- Job responsibilities
- Physical activities
- Household tasks
- Exercise and hobbies
- Mobility and independence
Don’t Let a Prior Injury Define Your Rideshare Claim
A previous medical condition does not mean you lose the right to pursue compensation after an Uber or Lyft accident. The focus is on what changed because of the collision and the harm caused by the negligent driver.
At Hildebrand & Wilson, LLP, we investigate rideshare injury claims throughout Pearland, Houston, Harris County, Brazoria County, Fort Bend County, and surrounding Texas communities. Our team works with medical evidence and qualified professionals to build strong injury claims and pursue the compensation our clients deserve.
If you were injured in a rideshare accident and have questions about how a pre-existing condition may affect your claim, contact Hildebrand & Wilson, LLP today at (281) 557-6406 to discuss your legal options.