Recorded statements are not required in a car accident claim unless it is your own insurer asking for the statement. If the at-fault party’s insurance company approaches you asking for a statement, you are not required to speak with them and you can hire a lawyer to review the crash and discuss your next steps. Our car accident attorney can work with you to pursue compensation after a crash.
The Insurer May Not Want To Pay Your Damages After an Auto Accident
Even if the insured at-fault driver is proven responsible for your collision, the insurance company may want to pay you as little as possible.
If you provide a statement, you may enable the at-fault’s insurance adjuster to:
- Use against you any minor omission or inconsistency in your testimony
- Interpret your statement in ways you did not intend
Insurance companies may attempt to protect their bottom line, aiming to save their company money. After your accident, you may receive an initial settlement offer pretty quickly, but it may not cover your accident-related losses in full.
What Can I Do Instead of Giving a Statement to a Claims Adjuster?
When the at-fault insurance company contacts you seeking a recorded statement, you may not want to respond until you have consulted a lawyer. Many law firms allow prospective clients to call and receive a free legal consultation. This practice makes it easy to learn more about your rights when speaking with insurance companies.
An attorney can help you deal with the liable party’s insurance company by:
- Always speaking to the claims adjuster on your behalf
- Contacting you with any settlement offers the insurer makes
- Negotiating for a fair settlement
- Handling all necessary paperwork
- Calculating how much money you need to cover all injuries and damages
- Answering any questions you have about the insurance company’s requests or statements
- Collecting evidence from all available sources to corroborate your story and prove the liable party’s identity and fault
- Preparing and presenting your case in court if necessary
- Helping you evaluate your options
- Protecting you from any misleading questions the insurance carrier may ask you
Our experienced attorneys understand how to help car accident victims pursue the financial recovery they need.
Can I File with My Insurer?
The Ohio Department of Insurance’s Guide to Automobile Insurance lays out a policyholder’s rights and obligations. These include:
- Purchasing at least the minimum required insurance
- Filing a timely claim after an accident
- Cooperating with any investigation regarding the accident
- Advising the insurer if you plan to file a lawsuit
Our team can only help you pursue compensation in Ohio once the insurance companies determine liability for the accident. Then, the liable party’s insurer pays damages.
If a representative from your insurance company asks for a statement, you must cooperate or risk a denial of your claim. However, you do not have to speak to an adjuster alone. A lawyer can help protect your rights by accompanying you to countenances with an insurance adjuster.
Damages You Could Recover in Your Car Accident Case
After a car accident, our personal injury lawyers can help you pursue economic and non-economic damages. Economic damages account for your financial losses, such as:
- Your accident-related medical expenses, including medical treatment costs, medical equipment, doctor’s visits, and ambulance rides
- Property damages, such as damage to your vehicle
- Lost income if your accident injuries cause you to need time off work
Non-economic damages are the intangible losses you experienced because of the auto collision. Recoverable non-economic damages could include:
- Physical pain and suffering
- Mental anguish, such as depression or anxiety
- Loss of enjoyment of life
Our team will look at evidence such as the police report, your medical records, and statements from witnesses to help you pursue fair compensation. We can offer you legal advice so you understand the options you have for bringing the liable party to justice.
We Will Be
There To Help
You All The Way
How Statements Can Help Your Case
Although giving a statement to the insurance representatives may not help your case, certain statements could help you. A car accident lawyer can help you get statements from:
- Witnesses: Were there other people on the street or in nearby buildings who saw all or part of your accident? Your lawyer can track down and speak with these witnesses so they can confirm your version of events.
- Friends and loved ones: The people who know you best have seen the accident’s effects on your life first-hand. They can speak to what injuries you sustained and how they have altered your health.
- Relevant experts: Your lawyer may have connections with doctors, economists, accident reconstruction specialists, and other professionals. These experts can examine your case and provide statements confirming that the liable party caused the accident and your injuries.
If you are facing serious injuries after an auto accident, we can speak to witnesses on your behalf. You do not need to worry about collecting evidence on your own when you retain our experienced attorneys.
Get a Free Consultation Today
No matter what an at-fault insurance adjuster may imply, recorded statements are not required in a car accident claim. The Fitch Law Firm LLC can deal with the liable party’s insurance company on your behalf. Call us today for a free initial consultation. Don’t wait to get started on your motor vehicle accident case.