When you have been in an accident, it is very important not to sign any release from an insurance company before you talk to an attorney. After an accident, you may be confused, and not understand what is going on and how to properly deal with an insurance adjuster. This is when the insurance companies pounce and try to take advantage of you in this vulnerable position. You often do not know the full extent of your injuries, whether you will have to miss time for work, and what the reasonable damages you are entitled to due to the other drive’s negligence. This does not stop many insurance companies whose goal is get out of the case as cheap as they can and try to get you to release the claim as soon as possible.
In Florida, there are restrictions on attorneys or medical professionals contacting you right after an accident, but there is no prohibition on an insurance adjuster contacting you on your claim. Many adjusters will seem very sincere and very concerned about you, but do not be fooled. Often they just want you to sign a release of all claims so they can move on to the next claim. You must understand that when you sign a release, all your claims against that driver have been released, and you cannot go back later against the person if you find out your damages or injuries are greater than originally thought. Many times they may offer you a nominal sum of money in exchange for a release, and the promise of some quick compensation is not always in your best interests. Often your claim for damages is worth far more than what they are offering. You need to talk to an attorney who is experienced in personal injury accidents who can properly advise you as to your rights before signing your claim away.
Many of the big name insurance companies, that their commercials say you can trust, are using these tactics to settle claims quickly and often pay less than what the claim is worth. Also a release does not necessarily have to be in writing. Some insurance companies are recording you and asking you on the phone if you orally agree to settle your claim for X amount of dollars, and then sending you a check. An oral agreement can be a binding contract and enforceable in certain circumstances. So be careful not to agree to settle your case over the phone without seeking the legal opinion of a personal injury attorney.
There is no hurry to settle your claim. The insurance company will try to put pressure on you to settle as quickly as possible, and if you are injured, this is rarely in your best interest. Often injuries from an accident can put financial pressures on you especially if you cannot work and bills are piling up. This is why it is important to seek legal counsel to discuss what your options are. Quickly signing a release without talking to an attorney can significantly reduce your right to fair compensation and cause you a lot of financial headaches in the future. Future medical bills and lost income and having to deal with debilitating injuries with no means of compensation can be a nightmare.
Be wise, and do not sign or agree to anything without talking to an experienced personal injury attorney first. If you or a loved one has been injured in an accident, contact Rowe Law Offices for a free consultation so you fully understand your rights and do not compromise your claim.