Even seemingly minor car accidents can cause serious injuries. In fact, the Association for Safe International Road Travel reports 4.4 million Americans require medical care after motor vehicle crashes every single year. Consequently, it is generally a good idea to go to the doctor after any type of collision.
If you suffer an injury in a car accident, an insurer may ask you to complete a blanket medical authorization as part of the claims process. Even if the insurer says completing the form is likely to speed up your claim, you should probably ask yourself some questions before signing.
Do you want to lose your medical privacy?
A blanket medical authorization allows insurers to look at all your medical records, including ones that are irrelevant to your claim. Even if you are healthy, you likely do not want to lose your medical privacy. If you have a serious ailment, though, keeping discrete details private may be even more important.
Do you want your insurer to know everything about your health?
After your insurer receives your signed blanket medical authorization, you can expect adjusters to pore over your medical records. If they find a preexisting condition or something else in your medical history, you may receive a claim denial or a low-ball settlement offer.
Do you want to keep your options open?
While it may make perfect sense to settle your injury claim, you probably have other options. For example, you may be able to file a personal injury lawsuit to recover financial compensation for your damages. If you want to keep your options open, signing a blanket medical authorization may be unwise.
A blanket medical authorization ultimately may do you more harm than good. Therefore, if you are considering signing one, you may want to explore all potential legal and other consequences.
