Do I Need to Give a Recorded Statement After a Car Crash?
After being involved in a car accident, one of the first steps you’ll want to take is to reach out to your insurer. Within a few days, however, you may also hear from the other driver’s insurer as well and they may ask you to give a recorded statement about the accident in question. It’s important to understand how important these statements can be to the outcome of your case, as insurers will almost assuredly use anything you say against you in an effort to avoid paying out the full value of a claim.
Preparing to Provide a Recorded Insurance Statement
After an accident, insurers will ask for a recorded statement, or a formal accounting of your version of events. You could be asked to provide such a statement not only by the other driver’s insurer, but by your own provider as well. Both adjusters will record these conversations and use any information provided during the claims process. Because these statements can have such an important impact on the outcome of a case, it’s critical to speak with a lawyer who can help you prepare by:
- Reviewing the details of your crash;
- Gathering documentation and evidence for the case;
- Taking note of key details;
- Helping you practice your statement; and
- Ensuring that you stay composed and calm.
Taking these steps can give you the confidence you need to give an accurate and succinct statement that won’t unintentionally harm your case.
Tips for Giving a Recorded Statement
When giving a recorded statement to an insurer, you’ll want to keep a few things in mind. You should try, for instance, to keep your answers as factual and brief as possible. Make sure to stick to what you know and avoid speculating about the cause of the crash. You should clearly describe the events that lead up to, occurred during, and took place after the accident. What you say at this point will have important repercussions for your case, as insurance adjusters use the statements to:
- Assess who caused the crash;
- Identify any inconsistencies in the parties’ stories;
- Determine the extent of the parties’ injuries;
- Decide the validity of the claim; and
- Lower or even deny compensation.
Because there is so much at stake, you should be sure to approach your statement with caution. Be clear but brief and avoid downplaying your injuries, providing unnecessary information, or guessing at details that you don’t know or can’t remember.
Speak With Our Tampa Legal Team Before Giving a Statement to Your Insurer
If you have been asked by an insurer to give a statement after a car crash, call the experienced Tampa car accident lawyers at Anderson & Anderson before doing so. For 40 years, our firm has worked to protect the rights of injured Florida accident victims. Call 813-251-0072 or message us online to learn more about how a recorded statement could impact your own case and the steps you can take to improve your chances of financial recovery following a car accident.
Source:
forbes.com/advisor/car-insurance/car-accident-insurance-claim/
