Do I have to make a statement to an insurance company?

If you have been injured in a car accident and your insurance company, or the other driver’s insurance company, asks you to provide a written or oral statement, it is best to speak with a personal injury lawyer first before complying. You are not required to make a statement to the at-fault driver‘s insurance company.

If you do choose to give a statement to either insurance company, here are some tips:

1. Answer the questions asked and don’t volunteer additional information.
2. If you don’t know an answer, clearly state, “I don’t know.”
3. Stick to the basics of the accident.
4. Don’t admit to fault for the accident.
5. Avoid discussing injuries.
6. Don’t agree to a settlement without discussing your options with a lawyer.

Any statement you give to an insurance company after an accident can be used to undermine your claim, so it is important to be careful with what information you provide. While it is important to be transparent and truthful to your insurance company, insurance adjusters can misconstrue parts of your statement and interpret them in ways you did not intend to portray you as untruthful and undervalue your claim.

If you’d like to speak with a lawyer regarding your accident injuries, we offer a no cost and no obligation consultation.