If you have ever been involved in an automobile accident, you are very familiar with the numerous phone calls from insurance adjusters that quickly follow. In fact, many individuals involved in a motor vehicle accident often received calls from the insurance adjusters while they are still at the accident scene or while they are receiving treatment in the hospital. Our Tampa Automobile Accident Attorneys are able to assist individuals who have been involved in an automobile, motorcycle, bicycle or trucking accident.
Many of our clients who have been involved in an automobile accident often ask us if they are required to give a recorded statement to the insurance company. Well, the answer is "it depends". Your insurance carrier is probably entitled to a recorded statement; while the insurance carrier of the other vehicle(s) involved is not entitled to obtain your recorded statement.
If an insurance company other than your own requests your recorded statement, you are under no obligation or requirement to provide any such statements. That means if an insurance adjuster from a company that insured someone else that was involved in your accident requests to take your statement, you do not have to provide any statements. In fact, you are under obligation to speak with them at all.
Most automobile liability insurance policies have cooperation clauses that require you to cooperate with their investigation of your accident. That often means you are required to speak with your insurance company and provide a statement. However, please understand that you have the right to have your legal counsel present throughout the statement. You are additionally authorized to meet with an attorney prior to discussing the facts of your accident with your insurance company. You are also allowed to request a copy of your statement from your insurance company once it has been completed. If you fail to cooperate with your insurance company following an accident, you could jeopardize losing some or all of your benefits.
If you give a recorded statement to an insurance company, it can be used adversely against you later. That is why the best solution following an accident is simply to speak with a qualified and experienced attorney who can guide you through the process and advise you of your legal rights.
If you have been involved in an automobile accident, trucking accident or motorcycle accident, please contact us, your Tampa Personal Injury Attorneys. Our attorneys litigate accident and injury cases throughout the greater Tampa Bay area, including Hernando, Hillsborough, Lake, Manatee, Orange, Pasco, Pinellas, Polk, and Sarasota counties.