.jpg "Talking to the Insurance Company - Should You Do it?")
Welcome to the second part of Ask a Lawyer series! If you missed the first portion, you can find the link below.
This portion answers questions about dealing with the insurance companies after you were involved in an accident. You will learn all about the following:
- Why they want a recorded statement
- What to avoid saying
- Your rights to a lawyer before speaking with them
Why Does the Insurance Company Want a Recorded Statement?
Soon after the accident, the at fault driver’s insurance company may reach out to you. Often they ask if they can record the conversation. While it may seem innocent enough to provide answers to their questions the insurance companies take these statements for two primary purposes.
First, they do in fact want to find out what happened in the accident. Second, and far more concerning, they want to determine how they can reduce what they pay you or even deny your claim.
The insurance company will explore how the accident happened, what damages occurred, and what your injuries are. Often times, the answers you provide will be compared to other individuals’ statements including your own at the time of the accident and to your own doctors.
What Are Some Things I Should Avoid Saying?
The questions the insurance companies ask, more often than not, should be answered, not by you but by experts and medical care professionals who are qualified to provide conclusive answers.
For example, you might be asked what injuries you have. This is a simple, straightforward question. Yet, unless you have been given a thorough medical examination, you may not know, and your answer may be totally incomplete.
Yet, the insurance company will use your recorded statement to reduce what you are entitled to as the victim party. These statements may even be used against you in court. You should avoid giving answers about what how you are injured or any other questions that you might have to guess.
Some examples include:
- How fast the other driver was going
- If there were any evasive maneuvers you could have done
- How the vehicle was damaged
- If any prior injuries were worsened
When Should I Contact an Attorney?
In most instances you should not give a recorded statement to an insurance company without first speaking with or retaining the services an attorney. The advice and guidance that the Lowe Law Group attorneys provide at these early stages in litigation can help you seek a successful case in the long run.
Remember, the insurance policies purpose is to put you back to where you were before the accident ever happened and we can ensure that this happens.
Contact Lowe Law Group today at (801) 900-4681.
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