In 2018, more than 40,000 people died in motor vehicle crashes, resulting in an estimated $433.8 billion in total cost from damage to motor vehicles including medical expenses, damage to property for motor vehicles, loss of wages and productivity, workplace costs and administrative expenses. In Maryland alone, there are estimated to be over 100,000 car crashes annually with more than 30,000 of the accidents resulting in serious injury or death.
When someone is involved in an accident, an insurance company is almost always involved. This is where things may get confusing and messy, legally speaking. You must decide quickly if you are going to give your insurance statement to an adjuster following an accident.
An adjuster will most likely call within a few days of filing an insurance claim to record and report your side of the story. This report or investigation is extremely important and may require statements from not only the people involved but also witnesses and police officers. Before giving any statement, you should reach out to a lawyer. There are many circumstances in which you are not required to provide a statement and doing so is harmful to your potential claim.
Though these reports can be helpful, you also need to be fully aware that they can use these reports to lower or even deny your claim. A few things to watch out for when being pressured to provide a statement are:
- A Rushed Statement. It is important to make sure you are not pushed into providing a recorded statement if you are on strong medication, in a lot of pain, overly emotional, stressed, or lacking in sleep. Take your time to recover and process the incident and make sure you are in contact with a personal injury lawyer such as one of the experienced attorneys of Potter Burnett Law. Remember, you are allowed to ask to reschedule or opt for a written statement if you feel unprepared.
- Leading Questions. Do not allow for an adjuster to ask questions that will lead you in a specific direction or provide an answer they will twist. Be straightforward and choose everything you say thoughtfully.
- Stick to the Facts. Do not provide any extra information. They can take personal information and use it to fight your initial claim. Stick specifically to the situation at hand and do not over-provide information.
It is best to have someone on your side that you can trust. Contact a personal injury lawyer right away to provide insight on the situation and the best course of action to take. If filing a claim in Maryland, contact Potter Burnett Law to protect your pride and help you receive the care and compensation you deserve.