Injured in a Seattle car accident? You may already be getting calls from insurers. The claims adjuster might sound polite at first and like they are just trying to help. Before you agree to anything, stop and ask an important question: Should I give a recorded statement to the insurance adjuster?
In most cases, the answer is no. A recorded statement can be used to limit or deny what the insurance company pays you, even if you’re just trying to be honest. Before speaking on the record, our experienced Seattle car accident attorney explains what you need to know first.
Giving an Insurance Recorded Statement: What Claims Representatives Don’t Want You To Know
Car accidents in Seattle pose serious risks. According to the Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT), nearly 3,500 people are injured in collisions throughout Washington each year. Auto insurance protects you when a crash happens, but insurers are for-profit businesses that employ tactics designed to deny or downplay claims.
Requesting you give a recorded statement to the insurance company’s car accident claims representatives is one of them. Insurance companies do not ask for recorded statements to help you. They ask because it helps them. Claims adjusters are trained to gather information to use against you. Their job is to protect the insurer, not you.
An adjuster may say they “just need your side of the story.” What they’re really doing is trying to lock you into statements they can later use against you. Insurance recorded statements can be used to:
- Get your version of events before you clearly understand what happened.
- Pick through your statements and find those in which you admit even partial liability.
- Minimize how serious your injuries sound, the amount of treatment needed, and any potential lasting impacts.
- Compare your statements against your medical records and statements from providers.
- Build a strong defense in case you are unwilling to settle for less than the total amount you deserve.
If the request is coming from the other driver’s insurance company, you usually do not have to state at all. Even when it’s your own insurer, you still have the right to understand the consequences before agreeing.
How An Insurance Recorded Statement Can Create Problems Later
If you are like most people, in the aftermath of a Seattle car accident, you may be thinking, “I’ll just tell the truth and be done with it.” Unfortunately, that’s not how insurance claims work. Injuries change. Symptoms appear later. Pain increases. What you say early on may not reflect what you’re dealing with weeks or months later.
Insurance companies know this, which is why they often ask for statements right away, before you’ve had time to see specialists or get a complete diagnosis. Here are a few ways that stating insurance company car accident claims adjusters can be used against you:
- Comments such as “I’m feeling good” or “I’m doing okay” can be used to downplay later pain and injury complications.
- Minor inconsistencies in your statements, which are common, are often framed as dishonesty by claims representatives.
- Casual statements you make about the crash may be treated as admissions of fault.
- Descriptions of your symptoms or injuries are compared against medical notes and used to make it look like you are exaggerating.
- Adjusters can use any vagueness or uncertainty on your part to cast doubt on your credibility.
Once you give an insurance recorded statement, it becomes part of the claim file. You don’t get to “clarify” it later. Under the Washington Revised Code, if the insurer can cast even a small amount of doubt on your claim or your credibility, they can use it to reduce compensation.
What to Do If You Feel Pressured To Give an Insurance Recorded Statement
Still wondering, “Should I give a recorded statement to the insurer adjuster after a Seattle car accident?” Make no mistake, they will keep pushing for one, making it appear perfectly reasonable. Refusing may feel awkward, but you are allowed to slow things down. You don’t have to be rude or argumentative. You simply need to protect yourself.
If you’re unsure of how to handle the situation, the safest move is to pause and speak with an experienced Seattle car accident lawyer first. If you feel immediately pressured to give a statement, protect yourself by:
- Saying you’re not ready and need time to recover.
- Asking whether the statement is required or voluntary.
- Refusing recorded statements until you get legal advice.
- Avoiding detailed explanations about injuries or fault.
- Don’t sign any documents you don’t understand.
In some cases, usually with your own insurance company, you may need to provide limited information. Even then, a lawyer can help you prepare or handle communication for you.
How Getting Legal Guidance Helps When Insurance Companies Call
Insurance adjusters deal with car accident claims every day. Most injured people do not. That imbalance matters. While the Washington Office of the Insurance Commissioner provides consumers with tips for dealing with insurers, getting professional legal representation is strongly recommended. Practical ways we can help include:
- Handling insurance calls and emails;
- Deciding whether a statement is actually required;
- Preventing blame-shifting or misleading questions;
- Making sure your injuries are fully documented;
- Keeping insurers from rushing you into decisions.
If you’ve already given a statement, that doesn’t mean your case is over. But it does mean you should get legal advice as soon as possible so that any damage can be addressed.
Before Giving Insurance Recorded Statements, Contact Our Experienced Seattle Car Accident Lawyer
“Should I give a recorded statement to the insurance adjuster after a Seattle crash?” The answer is no, at least not without getting professional legal help first.
Insurers routinely use recorded statements to deny and downplay claims. To protect your rights in dealing with these companies and get the total amount you need to recover, contact Washington Injury Law. We represent accident victims across Seattle and King County, including Downtown (98101), Capitol Hill (98102), Rainier Valley / Beacon Hill (98144), and Bellevue (98004). Reach out and request a consultation with our experienced Seattle car accident lawyer today.