Is Giving a Statement to the Insurer Okay?

In Georgia and U.S. law, there are few, if any, circumstances in which you can be compelled to give a statement without the advice of counsel. This rule certainly extends to making statements to the attorneys and adjusters of insurance companies. If you have been involved in an accident and an insurer is pressuring you for a statement, you should contact a qualified, professional Georgia personal injury attorney at the first available opportunity.

The fact of the matter is that there is absolutely no legal requirement in the State of Georgia for the injured party to provide a recorded statement to the at-fault insurance company. However, this lack of a legal requirement will in no way prevent the insurance company from trying to get you to make one anyway. One of the tactics that they may use to get you to comply is a letter stating that they intend to close the claim if you do not make contact with them, make a statement, and/or sign various releases. If you are injured in an accident in Georgia, do not sign any paperwork from an attorney or make a statement without first consulting your own personal injury lawyer. Doing so may cause irreparable damage to your case.

In the State of Georgia, you have a two-year statute of limitations in which to pursue your claim. While it is not advisable to wait too long, there is no rush to proceed without an attorney.

Sometimes it may be tempting to cooperate with the insurance company in the hope that it will speed the claims process along. You might consider giving a taped statement to be in your best interest because you have "nothing to hide." The problem with this is that the adjusters have a considerably greater amount of experience at taking statements than you do at providing them. Without realizing it, you may end up making an admission or unintentionally misstating a fact. For instance, they may get you to overestimate your speed or get you to admit that you didn't do anything to prevent the crash even though there was nothing that you could do.

The goal of the adjuster is to be able to dismiss or minimize the claim. They will not work in your best interests. If you've been injured in an accident in the State of Georgia, contact a personal injury attorney before speaking to the insurers. You will be better off and your attorney will have a greater chance of success.