Sooner or later after a NC car accident the injured party with be contact by the insurance company. Our attorneys counsel our clients not to speak with either the negligent party’s insurance or their own. The law is extremely complicated and after decades of cases full of loopholes for the insurance companies. As such, what might seem like an innocent question could be the insurance company’s attempt avoid responsibility. Insurance adjusters in NC typically will request to record any and all conversations with the injured party.
QUESTION
The insurance company is calling me asking that I give them a recorded statement. Should I?
ANSWER
As a general rule of thumb our Charlotte personal injury attorneys do not allow our clients to give recorded statements to the insurance company. There is no requirement to give the insurance company a statement as to what happened during the NC car accident. The adjuster is not asking questions to help the individual. Many times they are asking questions in an attempt to get the individual to say something that will weaken or damage their claim. Questions dealing with speed, location, distance, and time are extremely relevant in determining fault and damages in a NC personal injury case. There are hundreds of NC Appellate and Supreme Court decisions dealing with each one of these elements. As such, our NC personal injury attorneys counsel people to consult with a NC personal injury lawyer prior to speaking with the insurance adjuster. Further, many times an individual’s own insurance company will request a recorded statement, claiming it is required under the insurance policy. As with the liability policy this is not required as the standard NC insurance policy only requires the “cooperation” of the insured. It does not define cooperation and as such we do allow our clients to give recorded statements to their insurance company prior to filing a lawsuit.
Call (704) 714-1450 to make an appointment to speak with a personal injury attorney in Charlotte, or stop by the office during regular business hours. We understand that the last thing you need to do at this time is miss a doctor’s appointment or more time from work. We will schedule an appointment that meets your needs. Our lawyers handle cases for individuals across North Carolina. There is no fee for the initial consultation. Whether you call, come in the office or request a home visit you will speak directly with a NC Personal Injury Attorney who can answer your questions.
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