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Do I Need to Give a Recorded Statement to the Insurance Company?

Posted on behalf of Arnold Law Firm in
recorded statements after car accidentsAfter a car accident, the insurance company will usually contact the injured party requesting a recorded statement about what happened. While providing a statement could speed up the claim process significantly, it could also hurt your chances of recovering a fair settlement. The insurance adjuster may contact you when you are still in recovery or under the influence of medication, hoping you will say something that hurts your case, like making an admission of fault. If you have been in a significant accident, it is a good idea to contact an experienced lawyer to avoid making statements that could weaken your claim. An experienced Sacramento car accident attorney at our firm can help determine when it is appropriate for you to give a recorded statement and explain what to say.

Why an Insurance Adjuster Wants a Recorded Statement

When an insurance adjuster calls to obtain a recorded statement, he or she wants to hear your version of events. With your statement, the police report and other evidence, the adjuster can build a case. The insurance adjuster may seem friendly and pleasant to encourage you to open up and provide details that could ultimately be used to reduce or deny your car accident claim. They may also attempt to get you to contradict earlier statements to make it seem that you were not being honest. This is why many accident victims work with a legal professional to provide only an appropriate written statement, instead of a recorded statement.

Consequences of Giving a Recorded Statement

The insurance company’s goal is to minimize settlement payout, so adjusters may use your recorded statement to hurt your car accident claim. This includes:
  • Using your own words against you
  • Using all or part of your statement to reduce your compensation
  • Asking contradictory questions to establish inconsistencies
The adjuster is prepared to twist any words you say and attempt to get you to disclose details that invalidate information that you previously provided. The interview may be lengthy and repetitive, and the adjuster will put pressure on you to answer every question asked.

What to Do If You Choose to Give a Statement

If you do decide to provide a verbal statement to the insurance adjuster, there are some things you can do to protect your car accident claim, such as:
  • Request that your statement not be recorded
  • Do not volunteer unnecessary information
  • Try to keep the interview as brief as possible to avoid adding more details than necessary
  • If the adjuster asks you about something and you do not know the answer, simply saying “I do not know” is acceptable
  • Do not give answers to questions if you are unsure about your answers
  • Never admit fault or guilt
  • Avoid signing anything without a lawyer reviewing it

How an Attorney Can Help You

You have a right to refuse to give a recorded statement to the insurance company until you are ready to do so. The dedicated legal team at The Arnold Law Firm will help you provide an appropriate statement that supports your case. We are aware of the tactics used by adjusters to devalue your claim and we are prepared to seek maximum compensation for you. Contact us today for a free case evaluation. There is no obligation, and we only get paid if you receive compensation.

We look forward to helping you. Call (916) 777-7777 now.

Settlement - $3,767,000

Truck Accident

A 20-year-old man who had been married for just 12 days left home on his way to work. He was driving on Pleasant Grove Road in Sutter County in the early morning when he came upon a slow-moving truck. As he pulled out to pass the truck, the truck driver turned left in front of him. The young man attempted to steer back into his lane but his vehicle struck an un-flagged piece of metal extending from the back of the truck. He died in the resulting crash.

Expert witnesses brought in by the Arnold Law Firm proved that the truck, owned and operated by a hauling firm, should never have been on the highway that morning. Specifically, the rear and side turn signals did not work and the rear-view mirror was in a poor state of adjustment at the time of the collision. As a result, the driver, who had failed to properly inspect the vehicle before setting out that morning, couldn’t see the young man’s vehicle as it attempted to pass.

The poor condition of the truck, its lack of maintenance and the manner in which it was operated were found to be substantial factors in causing the collision that killed the young man. The testimony also established that the man had been making a lawful pass at the lawful speed limit and acted reasonably when he attempted to avoid the collision.

The man’s 20-year-old widow was awarded $3,767,000.77, his parents were awarded $185,131 and the family was reimbursed $11,899 in funeral expenses. Though money is a poor substitute for a young man’s life, this verdict demonstrates that drivers who endanger the lives of others will be held accountable for their actions.