WARNING: Do not sign an Insurance Company Release of Claims form without first consulting with an attorney.
Quick settlements may be dangerous because insurance companies will no longer be responsible for your medical bills, lost wages or any other damages which may arise in the future.
One practice often used by insurance companies is that of securing a signed release from an injured, accident victim very early in the case. An insurance adjuster may try to convince this person that his or her claim is ready for settlement and at that time make an offer to compensate for injuries and losses suffered from an accident.
The problem is that this offer may be made too early in the case without you knowing the true extent of your injuries. It often takes doctors months to completely assess one’s injuries and determine if one may need surgery or more extensive care.
If you sign away all of your rights in exchange for a premature offer, you are never allowed to come back to the insurance company for additional payments even if you learn that your injuries are really worse than that which you thought at the time of the settlement.
Before you settle, you should get all the facts about your injuries, talk to your doctor about what, if any, type of medical care you may require in the future, and discuss your case with an experienced attorney.
Don't take a chance with your claim by listening to the insurance adjuster and rushing to settlement. You may regret it.
