The best way to describe a car accident—no matter to whom—is to relay only the basic details of the incident, as calmly and objectively as possible. You can also enlist help from a Fort Lauderdale personal injury lawyer with our firm to handle all communication with an insurance company so you do not have to speak with them.
What Information Should I Give when Describing my Car Accident?
Stick to providing only the facts as you remember them and do not speculate on anything, especially what the other driver was doing at the time of the collision.
Never admit fault, even if you suspect you contributed to or caused the accident. Involvement in a car crash limits your ability to see and understand the overall dynamics of the accident, and you may be wrong about your contribution. Do not tell the police or insurance company that you were unharmed, even if you believe you did not sustain any injuries.
Many accident victims do not develop symptoms right away, especially in the case of a traumatic brain, soft tissue, or internal injury. It is important that you receive medical attention immediately after the accident, even if you feel fine. You may not be showing symptoms right now, but you could later, and you want to be able to prove that your injuries are linked to the accident and not something else.
Who will Ask Me to Describe my Car Accident?
If officers report to the scene, they may ask you to provide a statement. Remember to give only the basic details of the accident.
You must also provide a statement to your insurance company as soon as you reasonably can. Failure to notify your insurance company could allow it to deny your claim legally. Before giving a recorded statement to your insurer, however, you must verify the type and limits of your coverage and any specific notification requirements your policy may impose.
Speaking with an Insurance Company
Depending on your insurer’s requirements, it may not have the right to require a recorded statement. Nevertheless, even if an adjuster does not record your statement, you must describe your car crash to recover benefits. When describing the accident to your insurance company, carefully consider and choose your words. The insurance company can (and will) use any details you provide to justify denying your claim—even when it is your own insurance company.
Never lie to the insurance company, because it can also use this as a basis for denying your claim. If the crash involved another driver, their insurance company will also request a statement—particularly if that driver appears to have caused the accident. Talking to the other driver’s insurance company or their lawyers can potentially compromise your legal rights and limit your ability to pursue fair financial compensation for your injuries.
Make sure you do not post anything about your accident on social media. An insurance company may conduct their own investigation of the accident, find your post, and use your words against you. Depending on what you share publicly about your accident, they may devalue or deny your claim altogether.
What should I do if the other Party’s Insurer Requests a Recorded Statement?
Insurers ask for recorded statements hoping that you will say something it can use against you. This can be as innocuous as, “I’m sorry” or “I’m okay.” In most cases, you have no obligation to describe a car accident or provide a statement to the other driver’s insurance company.
In fact, you should never provide any statement—let alone a recorded statement—to any insurance company without first talking to a car accident lawyer. Doing so could compromise your insurance claim and legal right to seek fair financial compensation for your injuries and damages.
Before you provide any statement that could harm you or your legal right to pursue a settlement, consult a Fort Lauderdale accident attorney from our team. Your car accident lawyer can intervene with the insurance company and manage all communication. Contact our car accident lawyer in Miami today for free consultation. This ensures that you do not accidentally say something that jeopardizes your right to compensation.
How can I make Sure to Describe my Car Accident Accurately?
If you decide to give a recorded statement, you can avoid making potentially damaging statements by preparing to describe your car accident to the insurance company in advance. You can write a narrative based on your reconstruction, describing where each vehicle was at each event phase. If you do not know or do not remember specific details, be sure to say so.
You can also download a car accident diagram template online, or you can use a notepad to sketch out the accident scene to the best of your recollection. Label the vehicles in a way that makes sense to you, but that will also make sense to the insurance company when you describe them. You can refer to them as Vehicle 1 and Vehicle 2, by their make and color, or by each driver’s name.
Then, when called on to describe the car accident, you can refer to your notes and written narrative.
Call Anidjar & Levine before Speaking with any Insurance Company
The team at the Law Firm of Anidjar & Levine will protect you and your right to compensation from greedy insurers. If the other party’s insurer—or even your own—is requesting a recorded statement, give us a call first. We can either take over communication or help you prepare your statement.
We are also able to negotiate with the insurance adjuster to help you get the settlement you are entitled to. If the insurance adjuster is not willing to settle fairly, we will take your case to court and continue fighting for the financial award you deserve.
We Offer Free Consultations
We provide no-cost consultations to accident victims to help them understand their rights and options. In addition, our firm operates on a contingency-fee-basis. We do not collect any payment unless we achieve a fair settlement or court award, and our fees come from one or the other.
Contact us today at (954) 525-0050 to speak to a Fort Lauderdale car accident lawyer.
We Can Help.
