Recorded Statements

One of the most common mistakes made by car accident victims is to give a recorded statement to an auto insurance adjuster, especially prior to speaking to a qualified personal injury attorney.  Auto insurance adjusters are highly skilled at manipulating you into making statements that will hurt your case down the road.  The reason that they record your statement is so that it can be used against you if you try to pursue a claim in the future.  After a serious car crash, whether it feels like you have just been “shaken up” or you are seriously injured, you are no match for these skilled insurance adjusters.  They do this everyday and are in the business of getting the right words from you to limit the amount that the insurance company has to pay.  You should talk to an experienced lawyer first before making any kind of statement to the insurance company.  

If you do not have a bodily injury claim, and your only damages are to your vehicle, you may be just fine settling your claim without hiring an attorney.  When damage to your car, known as “property damage,” is the only claim that you have, you may be well served to go ahead and give a recorded statement.  You are likely to settle your property damage claim, and get paid for your property damage more quickly this way.  However, you should always seek the advice of a lawyer before handling your own property damage claim.

But if you are physically injured, do not give a recorded statement because the insurance company will most definitely try to use it against you in the future when you try to recover on your claim.

If you have already given a recorded statement after you were involved in a car wreck, you may still be able to get full compensation for your damages, although doing so will be more difficult.  Talk to an experienced Louisiana car collision personal injury lawyer as soon as possible in order to protect the value of your claim and to discuss your best options. Call 504-581-4892 or fill out our free, no obligation case review form.