Q: I got into an accident. Should I give a recorded statement to my insurance company? I do have full coverage.

A: Were you injured? Generally, yes.

A: While it is necessary to provide information to your insurance company after an accident, it is also essential not to give your insurer any reason to deny or underpay claims. To protect your interests, a statement, recorded or otherwise should only be given to an insurance company with your attorney present. This is especially true if you were hurt in the crash and may have a significant damage claim.

Insurance companies should provide coverage for accidents. Under Florida's no fault insurance system, your own insurer may pay for some costs, including medical bills and partial lost wages. Another driver's insurer may also be responsible for compensating you. Insurance companies usually try to pay out as little as they can or try to look for reasons not to pay claims. The information you provide in a recorded statement could sometimes be used against you by insurers.

Insurance companies may ask you questions that could hurt a potential case or claim for damages. They may carefully review your recorded statement to find any inconsistencies compared with other times you told your story about the accident. If you end up suing to obtain damages, the defense could also use the information in your recorded statement against you.

As a South Florida personal injury lawyer, I've seen many situations where people gave recorded statements to insurers and later regretted it. The Law Offices of David I. Fuchs provides free consultations to clients in your situation who have been hurt in accidents and who need help protecting their rights when dealing with the insurance companies. If you want to talk with a lawyer about a free evaluation of your case, contact our legal team today.

Disclaimer: This information is not legal advice and does not create an attorney-client relationship.