When you file an insurance claim, you’re saying that someone caused an accident because of their negligence. That’s the core of any liability insurance policy. But they’re still going to look for ways to get around or undermine your claim. Part of that happens at the beginning, like asking you to sign a liability release form. Our California personal injury lawyers at Maison Law can answer your questions and guide you. Set up a free consultation today.
Can an Insurance Company Ask Me to Sign a Liability Release Form?
A liability release form usually comes at the end of the claims process. It’s basically a way that the insurance company formally wraps things up. There’s one very real advantage to it from your perspective:
- It provides the agreed upon terms of the settlement—including your payment.
This is obviously a huge step. The whole reason you file an insurance claim in the first place is to get financial help for your injuries and other losses. But there’s a very clear drawback—and one that a lot of people don’t realize—is that it ends the claims process.
That means if new symptoms show up, treatment takes longer than expected, or costs add up later, you usually can’t go back and ask for more financial support even though you need it and the insurance policy provides for it.
So the better question isn’t just can you sign it—it’s when does it make sense to sign it? It makes sense if:
- You’ve finished medical treatment (or have a clear picture of what’s ahead)
- You understand how your injury is going to influence your day-to-day life
- The settlement offer actually reflects what you’ve gone through and what’s still ahead
On the other hand, you shouldn’t sign a release if:
- You’re still treating or unsure about recovery
- The offer came quickly or feels rushed
- The form includes broad language you don’t fully understand
So like everything else, the answer comes down to the specifics. You have to take the full picture into account. Not just what your injuries are right now, but what might be ahead in the future.
What Happens If I Need More Financial Help For My Injuries?
Most of the time, insurance companies send you a liability release form in the hopes that you’ll just sign it and walk away. But outside of the immediate settlement funds, it’s hard to think about what could happen in the future.
Your injuries and the aftermath of the accident don’t go away when you sign your liability release—even if you have a pretty good idea of what you’re facing. There’s always the chance that they’ll get worse or there’s unforeseen circumstances. And if you sign the liability release, you can’t go back to the insurance company.
In a typical accident claim, there’s also the option of going to court by filing a lawsuit. This is usually the best option if the insurance company is lowballing you or you need more financial help. It takes more time and effort, but ultimately gives you access to fuller “damages” like:
- Current and future medical expenses
- Current and future lost wages
- Repair/replacement costs for your car or other damaged property
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- Reduced quality of life
Again, signing an insurance company’s liability release form is going to take this option off the table. So it’s pretty easy to see why you would need to file a lawsuit, but this brings up other questions.
How Can Maison Law Help Me Through This Process?
Whether you decide to go with an insurance claim or a personal injury lawsuit after you’re injured in an accident in California, the actual mechanics of what you need to go through can be pretty overwhelming. Insurance adjusters are constantly calling you, pushing you to provide more and more documentation, and then trying to get you to sign a liability release to end the claims process altogether.
All the while, you’re also dealing with doctor’s appointments, treatment, surgeries, bills, missed work, stress, and anxiety. That’s usually the point where you start looking for help. At Maison Law, our California personal injury lawyers will be with you from the beginning. We’ll guide and support you by:
- Helping you decide when it makes sense to settle—and when it doesn’t
- Reviewing any forms before you sign them
- Making sure everything being claimed is actually accounted for
- Handling the talks so you’re not stuck chasing updates
- Stepping in if things need to move forward with a lawsuit
If you’re at the point where you’re being asked to sign something or make a decision you’re not fully comfortable with, it’s a good time to talk it through. Reach out today to set up a free consultation and let us make things easier for you.
