What Does “Get Better First” Really Mean from Lawyer Arm’s Legal Perspective?
When a road traffic accident occurs, it is undeniable that many victims have to deal with injuries, property damage, and the expenses that follow. At the same time, contacting an insurance company to claim compensation may raise questions, especially when victims are told, “Get better first,” “The documents are still incomplete,” or “We must wait until the vehicle repairs are completed before proceeding.”
Lawyer Arm Supasit Siri, who has nearly 20 years of experience in the insurance industry, from handling documentation to serving as a lawyer providing legal advice to accident victims, has raised this issue to remind road users to understand their rights and not allow uncertainties about insurance procedures to become an obstacle to claiming compensation for damages.
Lawyer Arm uses the term “debunk” as a warning to encourage people to question certain explanations rather than accept them without verification. Although this term is not a legal term, an insurance company asking someone to wait or provide additional documents does not necessarily mean that the company is taking advantage of the victim. What matters is that the victim checks whether the reasons given are necessary, what rules or criteria support them, and how they may affect the victim’s rights.
What Should Accident Victims Do If the Insurance Company Tells Them to Recover First?
When an accident victim has sustained injuries and is still undergoing treatment, the assessment of damages may require additional medical information, such as the nature of the injuries, the duration of treatment, expenses incurred, and the impact on the victim’s ability to work. Requesting these documents may be part of the compensation assessment process.
However, accident victims should not assume that all medical treatment must be completed before they can contact the insurance company or submit a claim for damages. In practice, victims can begin reporting the accident, gathering documents, and asking about the claims process at an early stage. When each item of damages can be assessed, however, depends on the facts, the available evidence, and the applicable criteria.
If the insurance company informs the accident victim that they must wait until they have fully recovered, the victim should ask for clarification about which items of damages require further assessment before a decision can be made, whether the available documents can be submitted first, and which documents are still missing. Where appropriate, the victim should request a written response so that they can follow up on the matter with supporting evidence.
This approach can help prevent accident victims from having to wait without understanding the reasons for the delay, while also allowing them to prepare the information needed to claim compensation in a systematic manner.
A Problem Accident Victims Should Watch Out For: Insurers Asking Them to Sign Documents That Do Not Reflect the Facts.
Another case that Lawyer Arm has highlighted as a warning concerns vehicle repairs, where a car owner was asked to sign a document confirming that the repair period was 30 days, even though the vehicle had actually been undergoing repairs for 60 days. The car owner felt that refusing to sign the document might result in the vehicle not being returned to them.
Cases like this demonstrate the importance of vehicle repair documents, as the period during which a vehicle cannot be used may be relevant to a claim for loss of use of the vehicle, subject to the applicable terms and criteria. If the documents state a repair period that does not reflect the actual facts, this may make it more difficult to verify the damages at a later stage.
If any errors are found in the documents, the accident victim should request corrections before signing. They should also keep evidence showing the actual repair period, such as the vehicle intake form, vehicle handover document, messages exchanged with the repair shop, and documents from the insurance company. If it is necessary to collect the vehicle first to prevent further damage, the victim should ask how to properly record any objections or reserve their rights in a manner appropriate to the specific document.
Accident victims should not sign a statement confirming facts they know to be incorrect simply because they are worried that the vehicle may not be returned to them. They should also not assume that signing such a document automatically results in the loss of all rights to claim compensation in every case, as the legal consequences must be assessed based on the wording of the document, the surrounding circumstances, and the supporting evidence.
Incomplete Documents: When an Insurance Company Asks You to Wait, You Need to Understand Which Stage of the Process Is Involved
“Incomplete documents” may be a valid reason during the insurance claim assessment process. However, accident victims should ask for clear details about which documents are missing, what specific issue those documents are intended to prove, and whether the remaining documents can be submitted first.
Similarly, if the insurance company states that the victim must wait until the vehicle repairs are completed, the victim should ask whether the delay relates to the assessment of damage to the vehicle itself or how it relates to a claim for loss of use of the vehicle. This is because different types of claims may require different evidence and assessment procedures.
Based on the experiences shared by Lawyer Arm, accident victims should be cautious about accepting explanations without asking for details, failing to follow up on the status of their claims, and not keeping evidence for future reference. However, it is important not to generalize that all insurance companies follow the same practices. Instead, each case should be assessed based on its specific facts.
After an Accident, When Should You Consult a Lawyer?
Lawyer Arm recommends that accident victims begin addressing their rights and gathering evidence immediately after an accident. There is no need to wait until medical treatment is complete or all vehicle repairs have been finished before seeking legal advice. Preparing documents from the outset can help victims understand what information they need to collect and how they should communicate with the insurance company.
Evidence that should be kept includes photographs of the accident scene, information about the other party, medical records, receipts, proof of income, vehicle repair documents, and communications with the insurance company or repair shop. If a settlement offer is made or a document is presented for signing, the victim should read it carefully and understand the potential consequences before making a decision.
Consult a Lawyer Today to Protect Yourself from Being Misled by Insurance Companies.
Lawyer Arm Supasit Siri and Wongsakorn Law Firm provide legal consultations on motor vehicle accidents, insurance compensation claims, and issues involving insurance companies. Accident victims who are unsure how to proceed can seek legal advice to assess the facts, review documents, and develop a step-by-step course of action.
Do not let a lack of understanding of the procedures cause you to miss opportunities to protect your rights. If you are experiencing difficulties with an insurance claim, you should promptly verify the relevant information and seek appropriate advice at an early stage.
Consult Lawyer Arm Supasit Siri – Wongsakorn Law Firm
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