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ChatIf you are injured in a car accident, your life changes significantly and immediately. You may find yourself in severe pain, with medical bills pouring in, and your cell phone ringing off the hook. Needless to say, car accidents cause victims overwhelming pain and stress. During this stressful situation you may be asking yourself, “should I give a recorded statement to an insurance company?”
Worst of all, at-fault car insurance companies know this and use your situation to their advantage. Sure, car insurance companies typically have an obligation to investigate car accident claims promptly. However, they tend to use your overwhelmed state and unfamiliarity with the claims process to coerce you into giving a recorded statement.
At Bottaro Injury Lawyers, we have seen insurance companies take advantage of stressful situations like these over and over again. So, what do you do to protect your case?
Call a skilled local personal injury law firm like Bottaro Injury Lawyers. When you hire a personal injury law firm to handle your car accident case, the law firm will either interact with insurance companies on your behalf or prepare you to effectively do so.
At Bottaro Injury Lawyers, we fight for our clients’ rights while making the claims process as stress-free as possible. One way we do this is by acting as the liaison between you and insurance companies. Talk to us about your case before you talk to an insurance adjuster!
Why Do Car Insurance Companies Want My Recorded Statement?
After a car accident, the at-fault person’s car insurance company wants a statement from you to understand the full picture of the accident. They want to know your perspective on your injuries, damages, and conditions at the time of the accident. Sounds straightforward, right?
Not exactly. Insurance adjusters, otherwise known as insurance company agents, are trained to interview you in a way that is profitable to their company’s bottom line. Some aspects of your case that they may exploit during the recorded statement process include:
- Conflicting facts. Insurance adjusters are notorious for asking repetitive questions in different ways. This can cause people to give different, seemingly conflicting answers about their accident.
- Minor injuries. As humans, we tend to downplay our injuries, even if we are in excruciating pain. Insurance adjusters are looking for any indication that you feel fine or better after sustaining injuries.
- Preexisting conditions. Insurance companies want you to talk about your preexisting injuries in detail to argue that any injuries you have after the car accident existed before the accident.
In short, even if the insurance adjuster is friendly, they ultimately work for the car insurance company. Meaning, their sole purpose is to protect the insurance company’s bottom line. Any details they can pull from your recorded statement that devalue your case are exactly what they are looking for.
So… Do I Have to Provide a Recorded Statement to an Insurance Company?
In Rhode Island, you do not need to give the at-fault party’s insurance company a recorded statement. Nor should you! Instead, contact an experienced personal injury firm like Bottaro Injury Lawyers to help you navigate your case. We offer efficient ways to collect and use your statement that will truthfully reflect the accident.
If an insurance adjustor calls you, it is acceptable to tell them to contact your attorney or that you are in the process of hiring an attorney and to call back later.
On the other hand, in Massachusetts, you will likely go through your own car insurance company to receive compensation for your injuries. This is because Massachusetts is a no-fault state. In this instance, you may need to provide a recorded statement to your insurance provider. However, we urge you to contact a Massachusetts personal injury law firm like ours to prepare you to do so.
Additionally, there are other instances where you might need to give a recorded statement or at least work with an insurance company. If you are worried about what you should do after sustaining injuries in a car accident, call us immediately to discuss your options.
What Should I Do if I Have Already Provided the At-Fault Car Insurance Company a Recorded Statement?
Unfortunately, once you give your recorded statement to an insurance adjuster, it becomes permanently part of your claim. However, this is not the end of the road!
Typically, it is not too late to contact a skilled personal injury law firm to work with the insurance company to ensure you receive proper compensation for your injuries and damages.
Car accidents are scary, painful, and overwhelming. Call us to help manage the incoming phone calls from insurance companies and guide you through your case.
It’s Good to Know Mike Bottaro – 24/7 Top-Rated Personal Injury Help
At Bottaro Injury Lawyers, we care for people. Attorney Mike Bottaro and his award-winning legal team handle all types of personal injury cases, including car accidents, throughout Rhode Island and Massachusetts. We can even help on cases in other states as well. We pride ourselves on our honesty, integrity, and results. Contact us 24/7 in any method you prefer for a fast, free, and confidential consultation about your case. Text or call us at 401-777-7777, or fill out our free and confidential online form. We are here to serve and help you!
