Do I Have To Give a Recorded Statement to the Insurance Company After a Car Accident?

Insurance adjusters often contact victims shortly after a car accident, asking for a recorded statement. An insurance adjuster might say they want to understand the accident better or that the statement will help the claims process. One question car accident victims often have is whether they are legally mandated to give a recorded state to the insurance company. So, do you have to give a recorded statement to the insurance company after a car accident? No, you don’t have to give a recorded statement to the at-fault party’s insurance company after a car accident. As car accident attorneys, we usually advise clients against providing a recorded statement to an insurance adjuster and directing that all communications go through us. While a recorded statement can help the insurance adjuster understand the accident better and speed up the claims process, it can also be used against you. Read on to learn more.

What Is a Recorded Statement?

A recorded statement is a record (either audio or video) where you narrate what happened and answer questions from an insurance adjuster. This statement can serve as a critical piece of evidence. It can provide insights into the circumstances of the accident and help determine fault. However, while it might seem straightforward, providing a recorded statement to the at-fault party’s insurance company can result in complications. For example, you could unintentionally say something that weakens your case. Or, a seemingly innocent statement may be manipulated and used against you. Also, insurance adjusters are trained to ask misleading questions that may lead you into a trap.

Why Do Insurance Companies Request Recorded Statements?

So, why do insurance companies ask car accident victims to provide recorded statements? In most cases, regardless of what they say, insurance adjusters ask for recorded statements for reasons not in the claimant’s best interest. In most cases, the insurance adjuster wants to use your statement against you. Insurance adjusters often request recorded statements to find ways to reduce their employer’s financial obligation or get out of paying altogether.

The insurance adjuster can use your recorded statement to reduce or deny your claim in several ways. The insurance adjuster may ask questions designed to trick you or get you to admit something untrue. For instance, they may try to get you to admit to behavior such as distracted driving or others that might imply partial liability. In such a case, the comparative negligence rule may be used to reduce your compensation. The insurance adjuster may ask questions to get you to make statements that imply your injuries are minor. If, for example, you say something like “I feel fine,” such a statement could later be used to argue that your injuries aren’t as serious as your claim. The insurance adjuster may also use any inconsistencies between your statement and later or previous testimonies against you. Remember, if you are still in shock, providing a recorded statement can result in incomplete or inaccurate information, which could be detrimental to your claim.

What To Say if an Insurance Adjuster Asks for a Recorded Statement

If an insurance adjuster asks for a recorded statement, don’t be afraid to say no. Politely decline and direct them to your attorney. Remember, you are not obligated to provide the insurance company with a recorded statement.

Contact Us for Legal Help

For legal help, contact our skilled London & Southeast Kentucky auto accident attorneys at Cessna & George Law Firm.