Recorded Statements in Personal Injury Cases
If you have been involved in an accident because of another party’s negligence, you need to know how you should handle things if the insurance company asks for a recorded statement. If the negligent party’s insurance company asks you to give a recorded statement, should you proceed to do so? It is best to avoid giving a recorded statement to the at-fault party’s insurance company without an attorney or at least first consulting an attorney. You need to keep in mind that whatever you say to the insurance claims adjuster can be used against you. Insurance companies are notorious for using recorded statements to fight claims.
Are You Required To Give a Recorded Statement to the At-Fault Party’s Insurance Company?
You are not legally obligated to provide a recorded statement in a personal injury claim. The insurance company may suggest you give a recorded statement to enable the processing of your claim. Remember that no Florida law requires you to provide an insurance company with a recorded statement. The insurance company should process your claim even without your recorded statement.
What Should You Do if the Insurance Company Asks for a Recorded Statement?
If the at-fault party’s insurance company contacts you and asks you to give a recorded statement, politely decline and explain that you need to speak to an attorney first. Then contact a lawyer. A lawyer can guide you on how to answer the questions the insurance company will ask you. An attorney can be there with you when you are answering questions. Your attorney can even speak to the insurance company on your behalf.
How an Attorney Can Help You Tell Your Side of the Story to the Insurance Company
An attorney can help you understand the facts about your case and ensure you stick to them when you speak with the insurance claims adjuster. They can help you understand which information is relevant and which is not. When talking to an insurance company, you have the right to refuse to share any information that is not relevant to your case. Your lawyer can ensure you don’t share any information the insurance company does not need and might use against you.
What Questions Do Insurance Companies Ask?
During a recorded statement, the insurance adjuster may ask you several questions. Usually, adjusters begin by asking basic questions, such as questions about the claimant’s name, address, work, and familial status. Then, they move to more detailed questions. In the case of a car accident, for example, the following are examples of questions the insurance company may ask;
- When did the accident happen?
- What was the weather like?
- Where were you driving from?
- Where were you going?
- Were you distracted?
- What speed were you driving at?
- Which part of your body was injured?
- When did you know you had been injured?
- When did you seek treatment for the first time?
- Have you missed any time from work?
Contact Us for Legal Help
Our Fort Myers personal injury attorneys at The Pendas Law Firm are passionate about advocating for injured clients’ rights. If you suffered an injury because of another party’s negligence, contact us today to schedule a consultation.
The Pendas Law Firm also represents clients in the Tampa, Jacksonville, Fort Lauderdale, Miami, Bradenton, Daytona Beach, West Palm Beach, Melbourne, Naples, Ocala, and Orlando areas.
