After a car accident, most accident victims just want their lives to get back to normal. They want to heal from the physical injuries, get back to work, spend time with their families instead of at the hospital, and enjoy life again. Unfortunately, none of those things can help accident victims pay the financial costs of an accident and that is where the accident release comes in. Read on to find out more about the release and what it means to your ability to be paid fairly.
Know What You Deserve
An accident release is tendered by the at-fault driver's insurer and a signature immediately ends the claim. Once you sign a release, there is no going back — it's final. The accident release documents your acceptance of a certain sum of money for accident damages and your agreement not to further pursue money damages. Accident releases are not inherently bad and they may be fine for some accident victims. As long as you understand the full extent of money you are entitled to be paid, you might be able to get things back to normal that much quicker.
The Problems With Accident Releases
Unfortunately, most accident victims don't realize what they are owed after an accident. The worst part of this situation is that many victims automatically trust the insurance adjuster to tell them the truth about what they are owed. The insurance adjuster, however, doesn't work for you — they work for the other side and they often mislead victims into signing a release based on incorrect information. For example, they may tell you that you cannot be reimbursed for lost wages. That is correct only if you don't pursue the matter using your own personal injury lawyer, however.
Another aspect of accident releases that can harm a victim's rights to compensation is the allure of the quick payment. Missed work and extra expenses can place victims in a precarious financial situation and that can make them desperate for funds. Unfortunately, when they accept the check, they may be giving up thousands of dollars in compensation that they may need later on. If your financial situation is dire, the best thing to do is talk to a personal injury attorney. Accident settlements can be paid out in a matter of days or weeks and you will be assured of getting everything you are owed. With a lawyer's advice, you can confidently sign the accident release and be paid what you deserve. Speak to a car accident attorney to find out more.
Share14 November 2019
It can be hard to know what to do to protect yourself legally in the immediate aftermath of a car accident. You’re liable to be disoriented or in shock, you may be injured, and you’re surely worried about your passenger or the other driver. At least, that’s how I felt. The thing is, the things you say and do in the immediate aftermath of an accident may affect a legal case later. Depending on who’s at fault and what the laws are in your state, you may want to sue the other driver for damages, or you may find yourself being sued. My blog is designed to give you tips for a car accident lawsuit, no matter which side you find yourself on.