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I didn't know this, and I wish someone would have told me. So I'm telling you.
If you get into a car accident that is not your fault, and you are injured, the at-fault party's insurance company will send you a medical release form.
They will be soooo friendly before they send this form. They'll tell you that it's no big deal, and to fill it out, so they can assess your injuries and how much they'll be paying you.
Sounds reasonable, right? You're injured. They need to know the extent of your injuries and they need you to sign a form, so they can obtain a doctor's opinion of your injuries.
Ok....DON'T SIGN THE FORM THEY SEND, UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES!
The form they send you, allows them to obtain ALL of your medical records, since the day you were born. This standard medical-release form enables the insurance company to snoop through your medical records--and attempt to find reasons to DENY YOUR CLAIM or to assert that your current injuries are DUE TO PRE-EXISTING CONDITIONS.
Believe me, they will find something--anything--to decrease the amount of your claim or to refuse it outright.
So...what do you do? If you are injured---YOU request copies of your medical records for ONLY the visits relating to the injuries you sustained in the accident. Don't give them anything else. Don't sign any forms. Send them only the medical records that pertain to your treatment for injuries from the accident.
I'm just passing this info along! Most people don't think about these things day-to-day. However, if you are in an accident and injured, this is essential information!
:)
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