What Happens if a Pre-Existing Injury Is Aggravated by a Crash?
Car accidents can cause significant new injuries—but what if you already had a pre-existing condition, and the crash made it worse? Many people worry this means they can’t recover compensation, but that isn’t necessarily true. Arizona law allows injury victims to seek damages even when prior medical conditions are involved, as long as the accident worsened the injury.
The accident lawyer near me team explains how aggravated injuries are handled in crash claims, what evidence matters most, and how these cases often play out.
What Counts as a Pre-Existing Injury?
A pre-existing injury is any medical condition or physical issue you had before the accident occurred. Examples include:
A previous neck or back injury
Arthritis or degenerative disc disease
An old knee or shoulder injury
Chronic pain conditions
These injuries don’t automatically disqualify you from receiving compensation after a car accident. If the collision made your condition worse, you may still be entitled to damages.
The “Eggshell Plaintiff” Rule
Arizona follows what’s commonly called the “eggshell plaintiff rule.” This legal principle states that at-fault parties must take victims as they find them. In other words, even if you were more vulnerable to injury because of a pre-existing condition, the at-fault driver is still responsible for the harm their actions caused.
For example, someone with a prior back injury who suffers additional damage in a rear-end collision can still pursue compensation for the worsening of their condition.
Proving Aggravation of a Pre-Existing Injury
The main challenge in these claims is proving that the accident directly worsened your condition. Insurance companies often try to argue that your pain or limitations existed before the crash and are unrelated.
Key types of evidence include:
Medical records: Showing your condition before and after the crash.
Doctor testimony: Linking the aggravation of symptoms to the accident.
Diagnostic imaging: X-rays, MRIs, or other scans comparing old and new injuries.
These details help separate the “before and after” impact of the crash, which is essential for a strong claim.
How Insurance Companies Handle These Cases
Insurers often try to reduce payouts by blaming pain on pre-existing issues. They may:
Request extensive medical history
Dispute whether the accident truly made the injury worse
Offer lower settlements, claiming you would have had the symptoms anyway
This is why documentation is crucial. If you can show the crash caused a measurable change—more severe pain, new treatment requirements, or longer recovery—you have a stronger position when negotiating with insurance companies.
Types of Accidents That Often Aggravate Old Injuries
Certain collisions are particularly likely to worsen old injuries, including:
Rear-end crashes: Often causing neck and back injuries that aggravate old spine problems.
T-bone impacts: Known for joint and shoulder injuries, especially in intersections (intersection crash information).
Pedestrian collisions: Which can worsen existing leg, hip, or knee issues (pedestrian injury details).
Even low-speed crashes can significantly affect someone with a vulnerable condition, leading to greater medical needs and longer recovery times.
Compensation for Aggravated Injuries
If a crash worsens an existing injury, you may be entitled to:
Medical expenses for new treatments and therapies
Lost wages or reduced earning ability if your aggravated condition keeps you from working
Pain and suffering for the increased discomfort and limitations caused by the crash
These damages aim to restore you to the position you were in before the accident—not before your original injury, but before the collision made it worse.
When Pre-Existing Injuries Lead to Permanent Disability
Sometimes, a crash transforms a manageable condition into a disabling one. For example:
A person with mild back pain may suffer a spinal cord injury that causes permanent mobility loss.
Someone with arthritis may experience damage severe enough to require joint replacement.
In these cases, compensation may also include future medical costs, long-term care, and loss of future earning potential.
Protecting Your Claim
If you have a pre-existing injury and are hurt in a crash, you can strengthen your claim by:
Seeking immediate medical care to document new or aggravated symptoms
Keeping copies of all diagnostic tests and treatment records
Following doctor instructions to show you’re mitigating your injuries
Avoiding downplaying or exaggerating your condition—consistency in records builds credibility
Accident claims involving aggravated injuries often take more time and require more evidence, but many victims successfully recover compensation for the additional harm caused by a collision.
Final Thoughts
A pre-existing injury doesn’t prevent you from filing a crash claim—it simply changes what you need to prove. Arizona law recognizes that accidents can make existing conditions worse, and at-fault drivers are responsible for that aggravation.
By gathering strong medical evidence, understanding how insurance companies approach these cases, and being honest about your condition, you can protect your right to fair compensation.
