In most cases, truck accidents are quite serious and can cause very serious injuries. The truck driver or owner’s insurance provider will often try to contact you following the accident. Insurance adjusters will try to ask questions regarding your accident and attempt to get information from you about your injuries. You need to understand that your best interests are not what the insurance companies are concerned about. Instead, their aim is to attempt to get claims resolved as soon as they can. Also, they will try to pay out as little as possible on your claim or not at all.
If you suffered injuries as a result of a truck accident, you should call a truck accident attorney to assist you with getting the compensation that you need and deserve.
What Is A Medical Records Release?
It is written permission for a health provider to release your medical information. The federal government’s Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) in addition to Minnesota state laws state that health care providers cannot release any of your medical information until you have provided written permission. That means your doctor or hospital will not disclose any of your patient information to anyone including insurance providers. HIPAA was put into place in order to protect your privacy in terms of your health and your medical records.
Why Does An Insurance Adjuster Need To Have My Medical Records?
Insurance adjusters often ask to see your medical records. There are several different reasons why they want to have access to your records. One thing that insurance adjusters want to do is verify your injuries and treatment you have undergone. They are also interested in determining whether or not the treatments you have received already for the injuries that you suffered are reasonable. They may want to review any of your previous medical conditions and medical care to try to prove that you had previous medical conditions or injuries that are not related to your accident. Always keep in mind that insurers are always looking to pay the least amount possible for damages that were caused by the insured party who acted in a negligent manner.
Should I Sign A Medical Release?
You should always read the medical release very carefully to make sure that everything is accurate and correct first. The insurance company may say they cannot process your claim until you have sent your medical records. However, you are only required to send records that relate to the injuries that were sustained in your accident. IN terms of your privacy, it is very important to limit the time frame. It is not necessary for you to disclose medical records that do not relate to your accident and date back several years before your accident took place.
That is why it is so important to hire an experienced attorney who can review these types of requests for you, and make sure your records are amended so that only accident-related treatment that you have received are included. It is necessary to provide the records, but you should include only what is absolutely necessary for your claim. It is important to avoid insurance adjusters being able to review unrelated treatments you receive in the past and attempt to use those records to reduce your claim.
If you were hurt and injured after being in a truck accident, you may feel upset and overwhelmed. At that point, you should focus on receiving the medical attention you need and let an expert truck accident attorney deal with the legal issues for you.
Your lawyer will look after your best interests and provide you with advice on the choices and options that are suited the best for your individual case. Do research to locate the top 18-wheeler accident attorney in your local area as soon as possible following your accident.
Call our office today for your free and no-obligation consultation to discuss your injury accident in Minnesota. (855) 396-3926.
