Should I sign a property damage release?
Get Legal Help Today
Compare Quotes From Top Companies and Save
Secured with SHA-256 Encryption
Should I sign a property damage release?
My wife was hit in front by an 18-wheeler; the driver happen to miss his exit to the highway. He came to a stop and thought he should reverse on a 1-way street during morning rush time around 8 am. He hit my wife’s car and dragged it back about 15 to 20 feet. The police report states that the truck driver was at fault. I contacted the claim’s department from the company. They asked me for photos and 2 repair estimates. I did all that. The repairs run about $6,500. The company sent an appraiser to my home and they came in with an estimate of $4,900 and a property damage release form. Should I sign this form to get the estimate check and go on with my life?
Asked on June 12, 2013 under Accident Law, Texas
Answers:
SJZ, Member, New York Bar / FreeAdvice Contributing Attorney
Answered 11 years ago | Contributor
If the difference between the full value of the accident and what you are being offered is only $1,600, then probably yes--you should sign the release and take the money. To get the extra $1,600, you'd have to go to court, which has its own costs (including of time); and trial is never certain, so you can't 100% count on winning, or even if you win, getting the full additional $1,600. Generally, going to trial over less than $2k is not a winning proposition.
IMPORTANT NOTICE: The Answer(s) provided above are for general information only. The attorney providing the answer was not serving as the attorney for the person submitting the question or in any attorney-client relationship with such person. Laws may vary from state to state, and sometimes change. Tiny variations in the facts, or a fact not set forth in a question, often can change a legal outcome or an attorney's conclusion. Although AttorneyPages.com has verified the attorney was admitted to practice law in at least one jurisdiction, he or she may not be authorized to practice law in the jurisdiction referred to in the question, nor is he or she necessarily experienced in the area of the law involved. Unlike the information in the Answer(s) above, upon which you should NOT rely, for personal advice you can rely upon we suggest you retain an attorney to represent you.