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Should I Share My Medical Records with the Insurance Company After an Accident in Colorado?

At Donaldson Law, LLC, our personal injury attorneys in Denver understand many factors can affect the success of your claim inside and outside the courtroom. The major factor in the pursuit of financial recovery for our clients hinges on their injuries. You must be injured to pursue a personal injury claim. Depending on the severity of your injuries, that means a team of physicians or specialists will review your injuries, outline the medical care required to return you to the quality of life you once enjoyed, and dictate the length of treatment you need, which could mean taking time away from work. All things combined, your medical records become the cornerstone of your personal injury claim, which means they should not be shared with anyone who is not your attorney. Here is why.

Do Not Share Your Medical Records with the Insurance Company After an Accident in Colorado

If you have been injured in a car accident, as a motorcyclist, bicyclist, or pedestrian in Colorado, the negligent party’s insurance company is going to contact you immediately after the collision occurs to get your side of the story. This is when the insurance representative will begin building their side of the case by asking questions that may implicate you in the collision. If they can manipulate your responses to strengthen their case, what do you think they will do with your medical records? According to the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996, or HIPAA, no one can view your medical information without your written approval. That includes an insurance company or an attorney. The difference is, the insurance company has a lot of experience pressing accident victims to sign seemingly unimportant documents, like a blanket release agreement, which will give them access to your complete medical history. The problem becomes, the insurance company is going to thoroughly review your past and current medical records and use any previous injuries or illnesses against your claim. They could say that your current injuries were caused by a preexisting condition, previous injuries, or even another accident — besides the one you were in with their policyholder. Insurance companies want to find any reason to avoid paying for your injuries. Handing over your medical records may give them the ability to undervalue your claim, or worse, deny it altogether. Do not sign an insurance authorization form of any kind without speaking with an attorney. We will advise you of your legal rights and options to pursue success, including only giving the insurance company access to your current medical records.

Contact Our Experienced Personal Injury Lawyers in Denver, Colorado for a Free Consultation Today

If you have been hurt in a collision that was caused by a negligent driver, contact our personal injury attorneys in Denver, Colorado at Donaldson Law, LLC by calling 303-458-5000 or contact us online to schedule a free confidential consultation today to ensure your rights are protected throughout the legal process, so you can pursue the best outcome available for your unique case.

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CLIENT REVIEWS

My husband was rear-ended and his head broke through the back window of the truck. We decided to give things time to see if he improved. The other insurance company dragged things on forever. That’s when we decided we needed an attorney. We did not fully understand the statute of limitations and called a few attorneys thinking we had enough time. We quickly found out that in the land of the law, we were cutting it very close. The other attorneys we called passed saying that they just didn’t have the time to handle our case; we didn’t even get a chance to speak with anyone but the receptionist. Then I called Jennifer Donaldson and spoke to Melanie who is part of Jennifer’s incredible team. – Jackie G.

I was hit by a car while I was in a crosswalk. Afterward, I underwent multiple surgeries and occupational therapy. I was out of work after losing the use of my hand for a period of time. I knew that I couldn’t deal with the insurance companies on my own. After some research, I found Jennifer and Melanie. They were amazing through the whole process and the result was a very generous settlement. They were also able to get my health insurance to waive their subrogation claim. They have both been great to work with. Throughout my claim, they communicated with me and kept me updated. I would definitely recommend using Jennifer Donaldson if you ever need an attorney for a personal injury case.– Zander O.

Jennifer and her team were fantastic. They guided me through the whole process after getting into a car accident. She fought for me, and gave me and my family the best support. I don’t think I could have made it through the whole process without Jennifer and her team. Their knowledge of the insurance industry was very helpful and was a key factor in the outcome of my case.– Tony D.

My wife was involved in a serious auto accident where she sustained serious injuries, including a traumatic brain injury. Ms. Donaldson was professional, compassionate and very thorough from beginning to end. Her focus was to make sure that we were made whole. Her thorough work resulted in a settlement that provides for our needs for the rest of our lives. Ms. Donaldson is a great attorney.– Tony D.

I was hit by a car while riding my bicycle, causing me serious and permanent injuries. Ms. Donaldson handled my case in a very professional manner with outstanding results. She worked hard to make sure we got a settlement without the need for litigation while still getting the maximum recovery available. She and her staff were very thorough and stayed in constant communication. Overall, Ms. Donaldson was outstanding during the entire case. I highly recommend her to anyone in need of representation for their personal injury claim.– Leigh C.