“Should I Give a Recorded Statement After an Auto Accident?”

One of the most common things that an insurance adjuster will try to get from you is permission to record your statements.

Auto accidents are often preceded by negotiations with the insurance company to get compensation for your personal injuries, lost wages, property damage, and other losses. This process can be quite complicated and last longer than you would like, especially if your injuries take a lot of time to heal, or if the circumstances of the accident are blurry.

Any car accident victim wants as little stress as possible in the period after, but this kind of pressure can lead to poor decision-making, especially when it comes to proposals from the insurance company that’s supposed to pay for their damages. 

Insurance adjusters are people hired by insurance companies to evaluate each case, interview the claimant, and gather evidence that can help the company pay less or get away without paying at all. They are on the insurance company’s side, and that’s something to keep in mind every time you interact with them. 

One of the most common things that an insurance adjuster will try to get from you is permission to record your statements. Giving a recorded statement to an insurance adjuster is not required, so you can politely decline to give a recorded statement and offer a written one instead. 

Why Decline to Give a Recorded Statement?

Even though it might seem like an innocent request, an insurance adjuster can use a recorded statement as evidence against your claim. You might think that, since you control what you say, there is no possible harm they can do with your own statement, but there are certain key questions that may lure you into giving an answer that could harm your claim. 

For example, an insurance adjuster casually asking “How’s it going?” during the recorded statement might wait for an answer like “I’m fine, thank you”. It may not seem relevant to your case, but it could be used against you later on.

Besides possible “traps” that you could dodge by being a little careful and reserved when you talk to an insurance adjuster, a recorded statement can also be used against you to find certain discrepancies between your statements. Even though you tell the truth in each instance, your statement can vary semantically, which can be interpreted as contradictory statements. 

Speak With a St. Louis Auto Accident Attorney

Although they can seem genuine and nice, you need to remember that insurance adjusters are not your friends. Try to minimize any interaction with them and refer them to your attorney.

It’s generally best to avoid giving a recorded statement at all. Before you interact with insurance adjusters, speak with an experienced St. Louis auto accident attorney. They can help you understand what you are entitled to and advise you on how to move forward with your claim.