If you were involved in a car accident and now you’re being asked to give a recorded statement to the at-fault driver’s insurance agency, think again. It’s time to call an personal injury attorney to discuss your options. It’s easy to confuse what’s required with what’s just being asked of you. You assume the insurance company is out to protect you and care for your best interests, but it’s not always the case. The at-fault driver’s insurance company wants to protect their own funds, and that often means they will look for any reason not to pay out your claim.
The sad truth is insurance agencies will do whatever they can to deny a claim, and that sometimes means tricking people into giving recorded statements so they can use your own words against you. You might think giving your side of the story is a good idea, but anything you say can be used against you and might result in a claim denial.
How do I handle this situation?
You’ve been involved in an accident and you report the accident to the police. You have a police report, the insurance information of the other driver who was cited in the accident, and you file your claim. All you need is to get your car fixed or paid for so you can continue to drive and get back to your normal life, and that’s not so much work. You call the insurance company to file your claim, and you’re surprised to receive a call from the other company’s adjuster.
They want to get a recorded statement from you. They might be very friendly and apologetic about the entire situation. They’re so sorry to call and bother you. They know this is a difficult situation. They know this is bothersome, and they know they are not doing what you want, but they really need this. They’re so sorry, but all they need is a recorded statement and then they can issue the funds to you to get your car fixed. That’s all. You’re ready to get this over with, and they know that.
They might even call and bully you a little. They’re aggressive, blaming you for the fact the claim hasn’t been completed, and they might even guilt you into giving a recorded statement right then and there. You’re not happy about it, but you are ready to be done with them, and you want to give them the statement so they’ll stop calling.
Don’t do it. Do not, under any circumstance, call and provided a recorded statement regarding this accident. They do not need one, and you are not legally obligated to provide one They are not being honest about closing your claim with a statement. You need to call an personal injury attorney to help.
What You Don’t Know
You don’t know you’re not even required to speak to the other insurance company at any point during this situation. You’ve done your job calling your own insurance company, and there is nothing else you’re required to do. You don’t talk to them, and you shouldn’t talk to them. Even something as simple as stating, “I think the other driver might have been distracted, but I wasn’t really paying attention,” can cause you to seem guilty for part of the accident, and that could result in partial blame and a denied claim.
Call an personal injury attorney if you are involved in an accident and need legal help. You’re not required to file any lawsuits or claims with an attorney, but you do have access to the answers and help you need in a situation like this. It’s easy to think the other insurance company is being honest when they’re asking for something.
You don’t know much about accidents and insurance, and you have no reason not to trust they’re asking for required information. An attorney can protect you, your claim, and your future. Let an attorney help you file the correct kind of claim all while helping you navigate the needs of any insurance companies. An attorney can be the mediator between you and the insurance company, and that’s often what you need to close your claims quickly.
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