Should I Give a Recorded Statement to Another Driver’s Insurance Company?
Following a car accident, you can expect a call from a variety of insurance adjusters. Talking with your own can be stressful in and of itself. Dealing with the other driver’s adjuster– can be far more stressful.
The good news is that you are under no obligation to ever speak with an adjuster from the other insurance company. You do not have a contractual relationship with them, and nothing under the law requires that you speak with them. In fact, doing so could put your claim at risk.
In some cases, dealing with the other insurance company is a necessity if you want to obtain a monetary settlement. With this scenario, you could benefit from having a strong advocate who can negotiate with the insurance company on your behalf. A Pittsburgh personal injury attorney could serve as your go-between and considerably reduce your stress.
Why talking with the other carrier is not worth it
While you are not obligated to speak to the other insurance carrier after an accident, that does not prevent them from contacting you. Nothing prevents you from discussing the accident or your claim with them, but that does not mean it is a good idea.
The other insurance company will contact you quickly, hoping to reach you before you consult with an attorney. They will usually ask you to provide a recorded statement. They hope that during the statement, you say something that suggests you were responsible.
Even if you place the blame on the other driver, they could still use the statement against you in the future. If you eventually testify at trial and your testimony differs in even minor ways from your recorded statement– they can call into question your honesty.
Even if your case never goes to a jury, the other insurance company could use your statement as an excuse to deny your claim. The claims adjuster on the other end of the phone is trained to steer the conversation towards issues that could be harmful to your case.
This could involve a statement that removes the blame from their driver or puts the severity of your injuries into question.
Following an accident, resolving an injury claim with the other driver’s insurer could require some form of communication with them. To ensure you do not put your case in jeopardy, you might benefit from a Pittsburgh car accident attorney serving as your advocate.
Your duty to talk to your own insurance company
While you may have no obligation to speak with the other driver’s insurance company, your policy likely requires you to work with your carrier. Even if you do not file a claim, your policy usually requires you to notify your insurer of an accident as soon as possible.
The failure to contact your insurance company after a crash can be steep. Most policies include language that allows them to deny your claim or cancel your policy entirely if you fail to assist them.
It is important to remember that while you have a contract with your insurance company, that does not mean they have your best interests at heart. At their core, insurance companies are about profit. Even your carrier will deny your claim if you give them an excuse.
Much like with dealing with the other insurance company, your attorney can serve as your advocate with your insurer as well. By leaving the communication to your attorney, you could avoid missteps that could cost you a chance at financial compensation.
Contact us today
We understand the stress of an insurance claim. When you work with our firm, you can take comfort that we will always put your interests first. To learn more about how we can help, schedule a free consultation with us right away.