Can I Be Compensated for Pre-Existing Conditions After a Car Accident?

Were you hurt in a car accident in Houston, Texas, and already dealing with a pre-existing condition? Zehl & Associates understands how overwhelming that can be. Call 1-888-603-3636 to schedule a free consultation with a Houston car accident lawyer. We’re here to help you understand your rights and options.

It’s a common concern: wondering whether you can still file a claim if you weren’t in perfect health before the crash. However, Texas law allows compensation when an accident makes an existing condition worse. Our team will work to show how your life changed—and fight to get you the recovery you deserve.

Table of Contents

• Why Choose the Undefeated Houston Personal Injury Attorneys at Zehl & Associates After a Car Accident?
• How Pre-Existing Conditions Affect Compensation
• What Types of Vehicular Accidents Can Worsen Pre-Existing Conditions?
• How Long Do I Have To File a Lawsuit in Texas?
• Contact Our Undefeated Houston Car Accident Lawyers

Why Choose the Undefeated Houston Personal Injury Attorneys at Zehl & Associates After a Car Accident?

After a car accident in Houston, insurance companies will do everything possible to deny responsibility,  especially if your case involves pre-existing injuries or medical conditions. At Zehl & Associates, we know exactly how to prove when a crash worsened your condition — and we don’t stop until every responsible party is held fully accountable.

Our team has the experience, resources, and track record to take on the largest insurers and corporations in the country and not just win, but set records.

Here’s what sets our Undefeated Car Accident Lawyers apart:

• Billions Recovered: We’ve won Billions for clients across Texas, including record-setting verdicts and settlements for victims with complex medical histories and high-stakes cases.
• Access to Top Medical Experts: We connect you with leading doctors and specialists to ensure you receive the best possible care — and to clearly show how the crash aggravated your pre-existing condition, all at no upfront cost to you.
• Immediate and Thorough Investigation: From obtaining medical records to consulting independent experts, we move fast to build the strongest possible link between the crash and your injuries.
• Never Settle for Less: We refuse to accept any offer that doesn’t fully compensate our clients for every injury, expense, and loss they’ve suffered. 
• Prepared for Trial, Every Time: We treat every case as if it’s going to trial. That pressure often leads insurers to offer higher settlements — and if they don’t, we’ll be ready to win in court.
• Undefeated in the Courtroom: Our trial lawyers have never lost a case at trial because we don’t back down until our clients receive the justice and full compensation they deserve.

If your pre-existing condition was made worse by a car crash, don’t let the insurance company use it against you. Contact our Undefeated Houston Personal Injury Lawyers today for a free consultation.

How Pre-Existing Conditions Affect Compensation

A pre-existing condition does not disqualify you from recovery, but it does change how damages are proven. Insurers commonly argue that you would have suffered pain or disability even without the crash. However, Texas law applies the “eggshell plaintiff” doctrine, which means negligent drivers must take victims as they are. 

If you were more susceptible to injury because of your condition, the at-fault party is still responsible for the full extent of harm caused. Courts weigh medical records, testimony, and the opinions of specialists when deciding whether an accident aggravated a condition. 

For example, a patient with a degenerative back issue may live relatively symptom-free until a collision triggers chronic pain. Similarly, someone with an old fracture could experience renewed complications if that bone is re-injured. The law allows recovery for these additional consequences because they were directly caused by the crash.

What Types of Vehicular Accidents Can Worsen Pre-Existing Conditions?

Certain types of crashes are more likely to aggravate conditions that existed before the accident. Even relatively minor collisions can have serious consequences for vulnerable individuals.

Examples include:

• Rear-end collisions, which commonly worsen neck and back conditions such as herniated discs or spinal degeneration
• T-bone accidents, which can aggravate shoulder, rib, or hip problems due to the force of a side impact
• High-speed highway crashes, which may transform manageable joint or soft tissue issues into disabling injuries
• Rollover accidents, which often intensify prior head or brain injuries, concussions, or neurological conditions
• Multi-vehicle crashes, where the sudden, repeated impacts can trigger flare-ups of chronic pain or old fractures

Each accident type presents its own risks, and insurers may try to argue that your injuries are unrelated. Our attorneys gather evidence to show how the mechanics of the crash aggravated your condition, proving both liability and damages.

How Long Do I Have To File a Lawsuit in Texas?

In Texas, the statute of limitations for personal injury cases, including car accidents, is two years from the date of the crash. This deadline ensures claims are filed while medical evidence and witness recollections remain available and reliable. 

The sooner you contact us, the greater your chances of preserving your rights and preventing insurers from using delay to their advantage.

Contact Our Undefeated Houston Car Accident Lawyers

If your pre-existing condition was aggravated in a car accident in Houston, Texas, Zehl & Associates can help you recover full compensation. We have recovered billions for clients and are prepared to take on the largest insurers in Texas.

Call today for a free consultation. Our Houston car accident lawyers handle every case on a contingency fee basis, meaning no fees unless we win for you.