Even though today’s cars, trucks and SUVs are safer than ever, motor vehicle accidents continue to kill and injure an alarming number of Americans. In fact, according to Driver Knowledge, a driver’s education service, an average of 90 people die and approximately 8,200 others suffer injuries in car accidents every single day in the U.S.
If you are unfortunate enough to have a catastrophic injury following a wreck, you may have piles of medical bills you are unable to pay. Even though obtaining a quick insurance settlement is likely high on your to-do list, it may not be wise to sign a general medical release.
An insurance tactic
Insurance adjusters often ask injured individuals to execute general medical releases in exchange for fast-tracking the processing of their insurance claims. This may not be a fair deal, though. After all, the general medical release provides your consent for the insurance company to take a deep dive into your complete medical history.
Cover for denying your claim
When reviewing your medical files, an insurance adjuster is likely to be looking for cover to deny your claim. This cover may be a pre-existing condition, medications or even your mental health. Even if the insurance company cannot deny your claim outright, your medical records may give the adjuster a reason to offer you substantially less than you deserve.
It is hard to say it is never ok to sign a medical release after a car accident, as there may be some legitimate grounds for doing so. Ultimately, though, by obtaining legal counsel before signing any insurance forms, you may avoid unnecessarily complicating your claim.