Following a motor vehicle accident, the other driver’s insurance company may ask for a signed release. Signing a release may not be a good idea for a number of reasons and could end up not only hurting your case but could prevent an individual hurt in an accident from receiving adequate compensation for injuries. Contacting a car accident attorney in Boca Raton, West Palm Beach or Fort Lauderdale can help you understand your rights.
Seeking Treatment Right Away
Following a motor vehicle accident, an individual may feel fine and dismiss seeing a physician or being checked out in the emergency room. It is recommended that medical attention is sought as soon as possible since some injuries do not present until later. Delaying medical attention could affect that person’s ability to get compensated for the injury.
Signing an Insurance Company Release
Sometimes, the insurance company of the other driver involved in a motor vehicle accident can contact you to encourage you to sign a medical release as well as a release for payment. However, it can be a poor decision to provide the company with your medical records. Because some injuries do not manifest right away or worsen with time, signing a release prematurely can be a disadvantage, especially if symptoms are still evolving. Further, other conditions unrelated to the accident may become cumbersome since the insurance company may say your injuries were caused by a preexisting condition.
Injuries May Not Appear Immediately
Following an accident, you may be pumped up by adrenaline and not realize that you have been injured. This is one of the reasons it is a good idea to get checked out by a physician following the incident. In addition, particular types of injuries that can become serious later are not always apparent.
Injuries to Soft Tissues
Many people are familiar with whiplash, the soft-tissue injury that commonly occurs because of an accident. Ligaments, tendons and muscles are considered soft tissues. Even a minor accident can cause injury because of the force involved with a collision. Whiplash can cause more than physical manifestations such as pain and stiffness, it can also cause long-term cognitive problems such as memory lapses, depression, anxiety and even post-traumatic stress syndrome. According to MedicineNet, economic expenses related to whiplash cost up to $30 billion per year nationwide. Because whiplash may take weeks to manifest and is not visible on X-ray, signing off on insurance can be a poor decision.
Head or Brain Injuries
While some brain injuries show up right away in the form of disorientation, dizziness or other symptoms, not all brain injuries present at the time of the accident. Although your skull protects your brain, a violent jolt or striking your head can cause serious injury. Symptoms may not show up until later and may vary but include headache, nausea, blurred vision, unusual sleep patterns or problems concentrating.
Contact a Car Accident Attorney
Being involved in a motor vehicle accident can be a traumatic experience, and coping with possible injuries and damage to your vehicle along with lost time at work during the days and weeks that follow can add to your concerns. The law office of Kaiser-Romanello is experienced in personal injury and can help by offering a free case evaluation to discuss your accident. Our attorneys can answer all your questions, review your case and advise you. Recuperating from an accident requires rest, and our law office can take from you the burden of worrying about medical bills, lost wages and other expenses associated with your accident.
