Having been in a car accident or going through a personal injury claim will involve multiple steps. In some instances, the insurance company will ask for a recorded statement before you can recover compensation for damages.
You will be asked to provide a statement about what happened and how the accident occurred. While such a request seems reasonable as a part of the investigation, it can put you at a disadvantage. That’s why talking to a Camden auto accident lawyer before providing any information to the insurance company is vital.
What’s a Recorded Statement?
The recorded statement is a personal testimony and an account of the accident that the insurance company can use to determine fault.
One thing you need to understand about insurance agencies is that they’re not on your side. The goal of insurers is to minimize payouts. Hence, a recorded statement could be required in a very specific (vague) way to have you featuring the kind of information that will benefit the insurer.
Some mistakes you may commit when providing a recorded statement include:
- Inconsistent information: The information you provide will be thoroughly compared to the accident report. Any inconsistency will be used as an opportunity to minimize the amount you’ll be getting.
- Provision of too much background information: You could be asked about what you were doing before the accident. You could also be required to provide information about your health or injuries sustained before that particular episode. Giving too many details will once again make the situation open to interpretation.
- Downplaying the severity of damages or injuries: You’ll sometimes be asked to describe your injuries and how you felt in the aftermath of the accident. Downplaying those can have the insurer reducing the amount you’ll be compensated with.
- Admitting to some fault: Acknowledging a certain mistake means you’ll be admitting to some fault. South Carolina is a comparative negligence state. If you admit some fault for the accident, your compensation will be reduced.
Are You Legally Obligated to Provide a Recorded Statement?
You may be told that a recorded statement is a legal requirement after a car accident in South Carolina.
That’s not the case.
You are not legally required to provide an insurance company with a recorded statement. Remember, it can be used against you, which means that giving out details isn’t in your best interest.
It’s your right to consult with a Camden car accident attorney before writing down, signing anything, or recording a voice statement. Your lawyer will suggest how to handle the situation and what type of information to disclose, should you choose to provide the insurer with a recorded statement.
What if Your Insurance Company Is Asking for a Statement?
The above-mentioned scenario involves communication with the insurance company that services the person who caused an accident and your injuries.
When communicating with your own insurance company, you’ll probably have to cooperate a bit more. Your own insurance company will ask for information before you get paid for medical expenses or property damage.
There are still some things you can do to reduce the likelihood of receiving minimal compensation.
You can refuse providing a recorded statement on the spot. Instead, ask for a consultation with your lawyer before getting back to the insurance firm. Insurers don’t have the right to deny such a request. Going through your lawyer instead of responding immediately will eliminate the risk of making a costly error.
How a Camden Auto Accident Lawyer Can Help
Let your lawyer handle the recorded statement process. You’ll be assisted in several important ways that reduce the likelihood of a minimized compensation. A lawyer can do all of the following on your behalf:
- Prepare the statement and review the information you intend to hand over
- Remove bits that are irrelevant or that reveal information the insurer could potentially use against you
- Make sure that all of the facts have been featured in an accurate, unbiased way
- Carry out all of the communication with the insurance company on your behalf
Because of these reasons, you need to get in touch with an experienced Camden law firm as soon as an accident takes place. If you don’t receive professional assistance, you risk making a costly mistake that you’ll be incapable of recovering from down the line.
Our personal injury attorneys are ready to guide you through the compensation recovery process. Call us at 803-310-5700 to schedule your free case evaluation.