Do not agree to give the insurance company a recorded statement without first speaking with your injury lawyer.
Insurance companies often ask accident victims to give a recorded statement about their accident. Insurers may take the position that such a statement is a necessary part of the claims process. However, recorded statements may be used by your insurer to discredit or deny your claim.
Hurting the Claim
A lawyer understands that most accident victims want to provide the necessary information to settle their claim as quickly as possible. Giving a statement to the insurance company may seem like a good way to move the claim forward.
However, an insurance company may utilize any recorded statement that an individual provides to reduce or deny the claim payout by using an individual’s statement in the following ways:
- Interpreting words to suggest the individual was partially or fully at fault.
- Asking leading questions that may prompt claimants to downplay their injuries.
- Asking about previous or preexisting injuries and using that information to argue the claimant’s injuries are unrelated to the accident.
Do not give the insurance company a basis to deny the claim or reduce its estimation of any damages. Be aware of the potential uses of recorded statements when talking with insurance adjusters and do not agree to a recorded statement without first consulting a lawyer. Taking these precautions may protect the claim so an individual can get the compensation they need to cover all of the damages.
Providing a Statement
The insurance company needs to collect information about the accident so it can investigate fault and the value of the damages. But the insurance company does not need to get that information from the individual right after the accident when they might be taking medication or otherwise in no state to recall the accident and speak about their injuries.
A lawyer will work with the insurance company to provide them the information they need and consult with clients regarding whether they should provide a statement to the insurance company. Some statements are verbal and given over the phone and others are written and submitted to the insurance company.
Contacting a Lawyer
A lawyer will guide Ontario accident victims through the claims process, from sharing information about the crash with the insurance company to negotiating a fair settlement.
