Lending Aid to a Friend

If you have been hit and hurt by a careless driver, you may need to make several important decisions in the coming weeks. While you may not be at your best during the time right after an accident, it's important for victims to know what to do and what not to do when dealing with the other driver's insurer. You can make or break your case with your decisions, and one of the biggest issues surrounds accident releases. Read on to find out what an accident release means and how you should handle this issue.

What is an Accident Release?

The other side will take action quickly to close the case. You might also want to get things over with, in an effort to get your life back to normal again. The other side, for their part, knows that their task is to minimize their liability and costs of the other driver. The accident adjuster for the other side may make contact before your injuries are healed and offer you a sum of money. You must, however, agree to drop the matter. That is done by either signing the back of a check or a document. The accident matter is now over and you are left with a check. The question is, is that money sufficient to pay your damages?

How to Avoid Being Taken Advantage of With a Release

There is nothing wrong with wanting to be paid and paid quickly, but don't allow those goals to lessen your payment. You may be entitled to a lot more money than the other driver's insurance is offering you. They know you are owed more money and they hope that by making you an early offer, you will agree to it, rather than pursue full compensation. However, the accident release ends everything. You cannot go back and ask for more money after taking an early offer and sign the accident release. The only way to make sure that you don't fall victim to a release that provides you with inadequate compensation is to take these steps:

1. Don't speak to the insurance adjuster for the other side. You don't have to and doing that could endanger your compensation.
2. Don't sign or deposit a check from the insurer.
3. Don't sign anything from the other side.

Talk to a personal injury lawyer for help in dealing with this matter. They know how much you should be paid and they also know how to communicate with the insurer to get it for you. Speak to a lawyer and let them handle everything.

For more information about hiring a personal injury lawyer to help with your accident, contact a local law office.