Do NOT Sign Any Insurance Forms After an Accident Until You Talk to an Accident Lawyer!
If you were injured in a car accident, or any other type of accident, in Wichita Falls, or elsewhere in Texas or Oklahoma, you will most likely be getting calls from insurance adjusters for the at-fault driver. They are likely going to ask you to give a recorded statement, and they may even send you some forms for you to sign. Neither of these things are a good idea to do. Our rule is to never talk to the at-fault drivers insurance company until you have at least talked with a lawyer first.
If you give them a recorded statement, they will use any information you have given them, however innocent it may seem, against you. On top of that, some of the forms they try to get you to sign may be a “release” form or a medical authorization. They will claim they need access to your medical records so they can pay for your bills, but don’t be fooled. They will use that privileged access to dig up information about you that will hurt your case. Do NOT give any statements or sign any forms until you understand what impacts these things will have on your legal rights.
Liability Releases
A liability release is a document that is extremely important to your personal injury case because if/when you sign this document, you end your right to seek
compensation from any of the people or companies named in the document. This is usually signed in exchange for a settlement. The release will name certain “parties” and will include both the person who caused the accident as well as their insurance company. Once you sign this release, your case is over and you can no longer recover anything for that accident. So if later injuries pop up, you are out of luck. You cannot go back and ask for more money.
This is why it is extremely important to not sign the release too early. Some injuries do not show up until later down the line, such as traumatic brain injuries or serious spinal injuries. It’s hard to fully understand your condition right away or to fully understand the extent of your medical treatment and the bills that go along with that.
Use Caution When Dealing with Insurance Companies
We’ve gone over this many times, but it doesn’t hurt to reiterate: the insurance company for the at-fault driver is not your friend. Their goal is to pay as little as possible on your claim, so it is important that you use extreme caution with what information you give them.
If you aren’t sure if you are ready to settle or if you should accept a certain settlement, you should contact a Wichita Falls personal injury law firm. Our Wichita Falls personal injury lawyer will give you a free evaluation of your case and offer you helpful guidance for how to proceed, even if you don’t need our services.
Contact Our Wichita Falls Accident Lawyer for Help
For more information about car accident claims, or any other personal injury claims in Wichita Falls, Texas, or Oklahoma, download our free book, The Traveler’s Guide to the Universe of Personal Injury. You can also call our Wichita Falls accident lawyer at 940-569-4000, or fill out our contact form to set up a free, confidential, no-obligation consultation.