What You Should Know Before Signing A Car Accident Settlement Release
When a car accident occurs, one of the insurance companies involved will typically be responsible for paying the accident, and this will generally be the insurance company of the at-fault driver. This insurance company will offer you a car accident settlement amount and will ask you to sign a release form for it, but there are a few things you should know before you sign this release.
What the release means
The first thing you should understand is what a car accident settlement release means. As the name suggests, this form is a release, which means that it releases your ability to collect more compensation. Therefore, once you sign this form, you are agreeing to the amount of money the insurance company is offering, and you are waiving your right to seek any more money. The agreement is final. You will receive the amount the form states and nothing more. Additionally, you can never go after the other party again for any compensation, even if you later realize you have lifelong injuries you were unaware of at the time you signed the release form.
Things you should do before signing it
Secondly, there are a few steps you should take before you sign the release form, and the first step will be to get all the medical help you need for your injuries. While the insurance company might encourage you to settle right away, you should avoid doing this if possible. It can often take months after an accident to fully understand the effects it had on your health and lifestyle. Waiting until you know the full effects will be beneficial to you if you want to receive enough compensation for the injuries you have.
You have the right to hire an attorney
Finally, you should realize that settling a car accident is a big deal, and you might not want to handle this all on your own. Instead, you should realize that you have the legal right to hire an attorney for help. Seeking advice from an attorney is your best option, as attorneys know how to negotiate well on behalf of accident victims.
If you would like to consult with an auto accident lawyer before signing this form, contact a personal injury law firm today. You can meet with an attorney to discuss your situation, and the attorney can help you decide how to handle the situation from this point.