Should I Sign a Medical Authorization for the Other Driver’s Car Insurance?

If you’ve been injured in a car accident, you are likely feeling overwhelmed. You may be missing work or other obligations due to your injuries. It feels like every time you turn around, there’s a phone call to answer or paperwork to look over and sign. One form you may be approached with is a medical authorization. 

What is a medical authorization?

A medical authorization is a form that gives the requesting party access to your medical records. It is sometimes also called a medical release. After a car accident, it’s likely that a representative from the other driver’s car insurance will contact you. They may try to persuade you to sign a medical authorization.

Should I sign a medical authorization? 

Don’t cave into the pressure. It is in your best interest to speak with a personal injury attorney before signing a medical authorization for the other driver’s insurance. 

The other insurance company may say that they need the authorization now, in order to come to a fair resolution. They may hint at a fast and favorable settlement for you. This can sound like a good idea if you’re experiencing a loss of income or other financial strain due to your injuries. But please remember, the other driver’s insurance company isn’t working for you. They don’t have your best interests in mind, only theirs. Their number one objective is to expedite an out of court settlement, at the lowest amount possible.

Your medical records contain private and sensitive information, spanning several years. It’s likely that much of the information in your records will be irrelevant to your current injuries. There is no reason for the other insurance company to have access to your confidential information. They may attempt to use the information in your medical records against you.

For example, the other insurance company may try to “connect the dots” between an old health complaint and the injuries you sustained in the accident. You may have complained of elbow pain or discomfort during a routine annual exam last year. Now after your accident, you are being treated for an elbow injury. The other insurance company may take that information to argue that your injuries are not new and are part of an existing medical condition. If you’ve been seeing a doctor on a regular basis for unrelated treatment, the other insurance may try to label you as fragile or in poor health in an effort to devalue your claim.

In the days following your car accident, it’s possible that the full extent of your injuries remains unknown. If you have been home resting, some injuries may not be apparent until you return to work or your normal activities. Doctors may still be evaluating you and setting up referrals. It’s not unheard of for patients to have to wait several weeks to see a specialist. Releasing your medical records too soon will not portray an accurate picture of your injuries.

You need a personal injury attorney on your side. 

At Saladino & Schaaf, we have years of experience representing Kentuckians in personal injury lawsuits. We work for you, not the insurance companies. We have your best interests in mind. 

If you have been injured in a car accident, contact us today. Our attorneys will communicate with the other driver’s car insurance in a way that is beneficial to you. The sooner you start the process, the faster we can help you get the compensation that you deserve.  If you’ve been injured through no fault of your own, contact us online or at (270) 444-0406 to schedule a free consultation today.