What To Do After An Accident When The Adjuster Has A Tape Recorder

The blog pack is looking at various issues that we see in our day to day practices, each writer is looking at a topic from our various perspectives.

David Mittleman and Devon Glass of Church Wyble, PC in Lansing, Michigan,

Pierce Egerton of Egerton & Associates P.A. in North Carolina,

Steve Lombardi of The Lombardi Law Firm in Des Moines Iowa

Wayne Parsons of The Parsons Law Firm in Hawaii

Rick Shapiro of Shapiro, Cooper, Lewis & Appleton, P.C. from Virginia and North Carolina

I addressed the issue of the adjuster being the first one there last week; today I want to look at what to do if they have a tape recorder or want to take a statement.

Some insurance contracts do require it. If it really is required by your insurance policy, the answer in many cases is going to be that it’s something you have to do at some point. However, a lawyer can to be prepared for the statement, and sit through the statement at your side, making sure your rights are protected. It is clear, when the adjusters are calling to get these statements, that they are doing it to limit their companies liability and in many cases, limit what it is they are going to eventually pay. By being the ones asking the questions, they control what information is obtained. It is not unusual, when we represent someone giving a statement, that we make sure additional questions are answered and information provided. We also have experienced the importance of certain questions and answers to have properly prepared you to answer these questions. Just like not signing anything, you should not consider giving a statement until you first talk to an attorney. The initial consultation is free, and can give you a better idea of the importance of what is about to happen.

For the most recent articles in this series check out:

Series about Common Questions Clients Ask

I was in an automobile accident. What should I do? Ten Tips For Hawaii Drivers, Wayne Parsons on September 14, 2009 – 3:59 AM EST.

What would a caveman bring to meet with the lawyer?, Steve Lombardi , September 15, 2009 11:00 AM

Solving Legal Problems, Being a Client, Back to the Basics, Steve Lombardi , September 15, 2009 8:48 AM

Car Accident Injury Client: What Makes the Case Good or Bad? (The Collision & Medical Care) , Rick Shapiro September 16, 2009 9:38 AM

Being a Client: More Tips To Help Improve Your Case If You’ve Been In An Car Accident , Devon Glass , September 17, 2009 8:39 AM

Presumed Guilty: How to Avoid Having Insult Added to Injury When You’ve Been Hurt in a Car Crash, Pierce Egerton , September 18, 2009 4:28 PM

What To Do After An Accident When The Adjuster Is There First, Mike Bryant | September 19, 2009 6:26 PM

What Questions Is The Lawyer Going To Ask Me At The Initial Interview For My Injury Or Death Case?, Wayne Parsons | 20 September 2009 12:01

What makes a case good or bad?, Steve Lombardi, 21 September 2009 12:57 PM

and this one

What To Do After An Accident When The Adjuster Has A Tape Recorder, Mike Bryant , September 23, 2009 10:01 PM