If you have been in an auto accident, the insurance company will most likely ask you to provide a recorded statement. Insurance companies are a for-profit business, so they are in business to make money rather than to pay it out in claims. One way insurance companies secure profits is to limit the payouts made to accident victims. One way insurance companies reduce the value of a claim is to ask for a recorded statement, which will limit the liability of their driver. In many states, a recorded statement that was provided to an insurance company is admissible as evidence in court. That means although you didn’t make the statement under oath, it can still carry considerable weight when it is heard by a jury or a judge.
How Can a Recorded Statement Affect an Accident Injury Claim?
When the insurance adjuster talks to you and asks for you to provide a recorded statement, they are thinking about the claim procedure and the motorist liability that comes into play. When the insurance adjuster starts asking you questions, he or she is looking for information that could be used to limit their driver’s liability and to get information that might be used to downplay the severity of your injuries. If you provide a recorded statement to an insurance company without consulting with an attorney, it can cause several problems with your claim, including:
- It could lead to potential inconsistencies in your statements. A car crash is stressful, disorienting, and confusing. As time passes, your recollection of the crash might not be as clear. When the insurance company goes through to compare all the statements made regarding the accident over several weeks or months, they will claim that inconsistencies were just your attempts to mislead the company. They will label your statements as lies.
- Trick questions might be used as ways to trap or trick you. The adjuster might even trick you or pressure you into agreeing to facts that aren’t completely accurate, just so you will get them to leave you alone. Even just an aggravated response of “Maybe” or “I don’t know” can haunt you later. Even an innocent statement, such as responding to comments like they hope you are feeling better or I am glad that your injuries weren’t more serious can be used against you.
Consult with a Personal Injury Attorney
If you have been involved in an auto accident that left you with injuries and damages, don’t try to deal with the insurance adjuster on your own and don’t provide any recorded statements without consulting with a personal injury attorney. Personal injury lawyers work on a contingency basis, so you have nothing at all to lose. Your lawyer will not be paid until you are compensated for your damages. To get your claim on track, complete the Free Case Evaluation Form on this page today, so a lawyer in your area can review the details of your claim.
