Should You Sign a Medical Release After a Car Accident in Florida?

After a car accident in Florida, you’ll likely receive calls and paperwork from insurance adjusters within days—sometimes even hours. One common document they’ll ask you to sign is a medical release form. While it might seem like a harmless request or even a necessary step in getting your claim processed, signing a blanket medical release too soon can seriously harm your case. At Stockwell Law in Fort Lauderdale, we’ve seen countless accident victims unintentionally weaken their claims by giving insurers access to more information than they realize. Here’s what you need to know before signing anything.

What Is a Medical Release Form?

A medical release form (also called a medical authorization) allows an insurance company to access your medical records. On the surface, this might seem reasonable—they need to verify that you were actually injured and that your treatment relates to the accident.

However, the form most insurers send isn’t limited to your accident-related care. It typically authorizes them to see your entire medical history, sometimes for several years prior. This means they can review old injuries, unrelated doctor visits, and even confidential notes from therapists or specialists.

Why You Should Be Cautious

Insurance companies are not asking for this information to help you—they’re looking for ways to reduce or deny your claim. Once they have full access to your medical history, they may:

• Blame your injuries on pre-existing conditions, even if the accident clearly made them worse.

• Argue that your pain or symptoms were not caused by the crash.

• Use unrelated medical details to suggest your injuries aren’t as serious as you claim.

• Devalue your settlement by cherry-picking information that benefits them.

At Stockwell Law, our Fort Lauderdale car accident attorneys have seen insurers use decades-old records to cast doubt on legitimate injuries. For example, if you hurt your back in a crash but saw a chiropractor years ago, the insurer might try to claim your current pain is “old” and not compensable.

When Is It Appropriate to Sign?

There are limited situations where providing medical records is appropriate—but even then, it should be done strategically and with guidance from your attorney. Your lawyer can:

• Review the release to ensure it’s narrowly tailored to the specific injuries from your car accident.

• Limit access to only relevant providers and timeframes.

• Submit the records directly to the insurer, rather than giving them open access.

• Keep a record of what information has been shared and why.

The key is control—you should never give an insurance company unlimited access to your private health information.

What to Do If You’ve Already Signed One

If you’ve already signed a medical release, don’t panic—but act quickly. Contact an experienced personal injury attorney in Fort Lauderdale right away. Your lawyer can request copies of everything the insurer obtained and take steps to protect your rights moving forward.

Even if the insurance company already has your records, they can’t interpret them fairly or use them out of context if you have legal representation pushing back.

Protecting Yourself After a Car Accident in Florida - Don't make a recorded Statement

Florida’s insurance laws can be complex, especially with no-fault (PIP) coverage and strict deadlines for seeking medical treatment. Navigating those rules on your own—while insurers look for loopholes—can be risky. That’s why having a zero-charge car accident attorney like those at Stockwell Law can make a major difference in your case.

Our firm helps car accident victims across Fort Lauderdale, Plantation, Hollywood, Sunrise, and Broward Countyrecover full compensation for:

• Medical bills and future treatment

• Lost wages and reduced earning capacity

• Property damage

• Pain, suffering, and emotional distress

We handle the insurance companies directly so you don’t have to worry about what you should—or shouldn’t—sign.

When in Doubt, Talk to a Lawyer First

Never sign a medical release or any insurance document without reviewing it with an attorney. What may look like routine paperwork could compromise your privacy and your right to fair compensation. At Stockwell Law, we offer free consultations and handle all car accident cases on a no-win, no-fee basis.

If you’ve been injured in a car accident anywhere in Fort Lauderdale or South Florida, call Stockwell Law today before signing anything. We’ll review your situation, protect your rights, and make sure your recovery—both physical and financial—stays on track.

Call Stockwell Law today for a free consultation and get the dedicated representation you need to move forward.