If you are not at fault in a car accident and have been injured, the insurance company of the other vehicle involved in the collision will likely make attempts to contact you for a recorded statement. The insurance adjuster’s job when dealing with someone who may potentially be injured is to attempt to relieve the insurance company of as much liability as possible by either decreasing the total amount of an injury claim or completely denying the claim.
Providing a recorded statement to an insurance company that is not on your side has the ability to hurt you down the line. The insurance adjuster’s goal in obtaining a recorded statement from you is to lock down your version of events and your summation of your injuries. This can only be good if you have an impeccable memory or can easily recite the same version of events multiple times without forgetting any important details however, this is not the case for most individuals. Often times when people involved in accidents are put under pressure to provide a recorded statement, they forget important facts and details when faced with recounting the high stress situation. Once a recorded statement is made and these important details are left out of the statement, it can affect one’s ability to recover the full extent of their monetary damages. For instance, if you provide a recorded statement to an insurance adjuster shortly after an accident and you tell them about neck and back injuries but forget to mention in your statement that you also hit your head, you may be unable to later recover damages for any subsequent brain or neurological injuries that resulted from hitting your head because you did not state it at the time of your recorded statement.
In addition, a recorded statement can hurt you because the insurance adjusters are likely to ask questions that force you to admit responsibility or negligence. In Washington, D.C. if you are even 1% at fault in contributing to your own injury, it can completely bar you from pursuing your injury claim or filing suit in court. This is why it is important to ensure you know your rights before speaking with an insurance adjuster or providing a recorded statement.
If you have been contacted by an insurance company to provide a statement, whether recorded or otherwise, make sure to first speak to an attorney about your options. Call (202) 403- 2292, or contact us to speak with a qualified personal injury attorney.