One More Thing To Sign Before You Get Your Check
When a settlement is reached with the insurance company, they will require you to sign a release form before you get the check from them. By signing it, you are assuring that you will no longer pursue compensation regarding the current personal injury matter once you receive your settlement check; you are releasing your rights to do so and releasing the at-fault party from liability upon settlement as well.
What’s in the Release Form?
Every release form is different depending on the case and the insurance company. There is often complex language in them that you should seek guidance from an attorney for, but generally, there are four main points that a release form covers:
- If you were to discover any additional injuries caused by that accident, you will not obtain any further compensation from the at-fault party and/or the insurance company representing them.
- You may see wording that looks like the following:
“(The insurance company) is settling your claim, but does not publicly acknowledge or admit the company nor (the insured) had any fault for the accident or your resulting injuries.”
This looks alarming, but it has no affect at all on your settlement amount. This pretty much is stating that the parties are agreeing to the terms of the settlement without officially placing blame.
- There is another statement further assuring that you are releasing your rights to file any other legal claims and suits against the responsible party or their insurance company regarding this accident. You are agreeing that the current settlement is sufficient in satisfying this accident case and any possible claims you’d attempt to file in the future regarding this accident.
- There may be a statement at the end confirming that you did not make any additional agreements with the responsible party for compensation regarding the accident other than the current settlement. This is just making sure you don’t try saying that you are owed additional money in the future.
Consult an Attorney
It is very important to have your attorney look the release form over before you sign it and to ask them any questions you have about whatever is unclear to you. Andrew G. Rosenberg, P.A will always be available to walk you through the language of the form and make sure you are not signing over any additional and unnecessary rights that the insurance company might have tried to include.