Should I Give My Own Insurance a Recorded Statement After an Accident in North Carolina?
If you are involved in an accident in North Carolina, you can count on the relevant insurance companies to ask you for a recorded statement. This is true not only for the other driver’s carrier but your own insurance company as well. Insurance companies want you on record to better understand what happened and pin down your version of events. However, giving a statement to the insurance company is NOT in your best interest. The less you say, the harder it will be for insurance companies to take your words out of context.
If you’ve been hurt due to someone else’s negligence, contact us at Rhine Law Firm. Our lawyers are determined to help clients in any way we can, including as your representative for all communications and negotiations with insurance companies, including your own. Unfortunately, it’s the job of the insurer to try to resolve your claim with as small a payout as possible, and they will try to weave a story about the crash that minimizes your losses and emphasizes your culpability. Bring us on board to counter that narrative and tell your story the way you want it told – the way it really happened.
Do I have to give the insurer a recorded statement?
Nothing under state law requires you to make a recorded statement to insurance companies. This is true even though the adjusters for these companies are likely to imply it is mandatory. However, you are required under the terms of your policy to notify them of the accident. Failure to do so could have serious consequences, including canceling your policy.
One of the benefits of having an attorney handle your claim is that they can directly communicate with your insurer. In addition, your attorney could also deal directly with the at-fault party’s carrier when resolving your claim.
How can a recorded statement hurt you?
As noted above, giving a recorded statement might not be in your best interest. First, insurance adjusters could take what you say out of context. It is not unusual for adjusters to take a general statement about the accident and twist it into an admission of liability. Further, it also puts you on the spot regarding the facts of your accident. If you realize later that you got a detail wrong, conflicting information could work against you during the claim settlement process.
Schedule a free consultation
If you were involved in a car accident through no fault of your own, the right attorney can help you navigate the legal process from start to finish. Our team at the Rhine Law Firm understands how to deal with insurance carriers after an accident. We have extensive experience negotiating injury settlements with insurance companies, and we can use that experience to help you secure a fair outcome. Reach out today for a free consultation to learn more. Since we work on a contingency fee basis, you will not pay attorney’s fees unless we win compensation for your injuries.
