After a car accident, the at-fault driver is responsible for compensating the crash victim for his or her auto repairs and injuries. Some crash victims walk away from accidents without suffering any harm while others may suffer serious, even fatal, injuries.
Unfortunately, some people who think that they were not injured in auto accidents may suffer delayed symptoms of an injury. In these cases, depending on the status of the case, an individual may be left to pay for his or her medical bills out of pocket.
Understanding Insurance Claims
Most commonly, crash victims will make insurance claims after an accident. The claim goes to the at-fault driver’s insurance company, which will assess the damage caused in the accident and compensate the crash victim accordingly.
Before releasing compensation to an individual, insurance companies will require individuals to sign a release of liability. These documents are meant to protect their clients – in these cases, at-fault drivers – from being sued for additional compensation.
Release of Liability
When an individual signs a release of liability, he or she is signing a legally-binding contract that:
- Settles the case
- Releases the at-fault driver from fault
- Disallows him or her from suing for more compensation
The last point in particular is important, because it means that individuals who suffer delayed symptoms of an injury may not sue at-fault drivers for additional compensation. In these cases, the injury victim will likely have to pay for his or her own medical expenses.
Individuals who decline insurance company settlements and do not sign releases of liability may be able to sue at-fault drivers for their injuries.
When an individual files a lawsuit, he or she may no longer be entitled to an insurance settlement. If the individual loses the lawsuit, then he or she may be left uncompensated for the auto accident.
Contact Us
Before settling your case with an insurance company, you may want to discuss your options with a lawyer to ensure that you are making the best decision. Contact the Fort Lauderdale personal injury attorneys of the Salpeter Gitkin Law Firm at 954-467-8622 to learn more.
