You answered your phone today to a call from your insurance company. They want to ask you some questions about that accident you were in last week. While you want to cooperate, you’re feeling unsure about giving them a recorded statement over the phone.
This is a tricky situation that you want to handle the right way. As a Los Angeles resident, you have certain rights and protections when dealing with insurance claims. But as your Los Angeles personal injury attorney will tell you, you want to make sure you do anything that could jeopardize your claim.
Review Your Insurance Policy
Know what is required of you. Carefully read through your policy to determine if you are contractually obligated to provide a statement upon request. Many policies do require the insured’s cooperation in an investigation, but check to see if a recorded statement is specifically mandated.
If a statement is not explicitly required, you are within your rights to refuse or delay providing one. You can tell the insurance company you want to speak to your legal counsel before deciding how to proceed. Your policy is a legal contract, so make sure you understand all terms and conditions fully before taking action.
Be Honest
When an insurance company requests a recorded statement about an accident or injury claim, it’s important to provide honest and accurate answers. Lying or embellishing the facts could lead to legal trouble down the road.
Don’t exaggerate or make up details to strengthen your claim. Stick to the facts about what happened, the extent of injuries or damage, and any witnesses present. Your recorded statement will likely be analyzed closely, so any inconsistencies with other evidence could raise red flags.
Limit Your Responses
When the insurance company requests a recorded statement, it’s important to keep your answers limited to the facts. Stick to what you know firsthand and see with your own eyes. Don’t speculate about what others may have experienced or shared opinions that go beyond the actual events.
Focus on describing the incident itself – what happened, when, and where. Explain the events in a logical, chronological order. Mention only relevant details, like the date, time, and location of the incident. Describe the actions and behaviors of any involved parties.
Request a Copy of the Recorded Statement
When the insurance company requests to take your recorded statement, it’s always a good idea to ask for a copy of the recording for yourself and your personal injury lawyer. This allows you to review exactly what was said during the call and confirm the details are correct. Mistakes and miscommunications can happen, so double-checking the information provided in your statement is important.
Having a copy of the recorded statement also gives you peace of mind that what you said will not be taken out of context or misrepresented later. Unfortunately, some companies may twist people’s words to deny or underpay claims.
Document Everything
It’s critical that you keep records of all communication with the insurance company regarding your claim. Write down the date, time, and details of any phone calls, letters, or emails. Take notes on the names of representatives you speak with and what specifically was discussed.
These records may prove invaluable if there are any disputes about what information was exchanged or promises were made. Memories can fade over time or become confused, but documentation provides concrete evidence of the process.
Follow Up
Now that you’ve provided your statement don’t sit back and wait. Take an active role in moving your claim forward by contacting your insurance company for a status update. Call the representative handling your claim and ask if they have any questions or require any follow-up information from you.
Staying on top of the details will help put you at ease during a stressful process. Don’t be afraid to call as often as needed to get the answers you’re looking for.
Contact Los Angeles Personal Injury Lawyers
Our Los Angeles personal injury lawyers understand how stressful dealing with insurance companies can be. We have years of experience helping injury victims navigate the claims process and get the maximum compensation they deserve. If you have questions or concerns about the recorded statement the insurance company wants you to give, call us for a free consultation at 818-960-6155.