Should You Give a Recorded Statement to the Insurance Company?
Hi, I’m Shane Smith from Shane Smith Law.
One of the most common questions we hear is:
👉 “Should I give a recorded statement?”
What Is a Recorded Statement?
It’s when the insurance company:
- Calls you
- Records the conversation
- Asks you what happened
They say it’s just to “get your side.”
The Problem
Even if you’re telling the truth, there are risks.
Insurance adjusters are trained to:
- Minimize your claim
- Find inconsistencies
- Use your words against you later
👉 Their goal is to pay as little as possible
Common Traps
1. Estimating Time
They may ask:
- “How many seconds did you have?”
Most people guess.
But:
👉 Even a few seconds can sound like a long time on paper
-
Estimating Distance
They may ask:
- “How far away was the other car?”
People often overestimate.
A better approach is to think in:
- Car lengths
- Everyday objects
-
Talking About Injuries Too Early
Right after an accident:
- Adrenaline is high
- Symptoms may not be fully clear
If you say:
👉 “I’m fine”
That can be used against you later.
Why We Are Careful With Recorded Statements
A recorded statement can:
- Be written out word for word
- Be compared to later testimony
- Be used to point out small differences
Even minor wording changes can be turned into:
👉 “You’re not being consistent”
Our Approach
At Shane Smith Law:
- We usually do not recommend recorded statements
- If one is given:
- An attorney is present
- Questions are kept within limits
We want to make sure you are protected from unfair tactics
The Bottom Line
- You are not required to give a recorded statement in most cases
- It often creates more risk than benefit
- You should never do one without legal guidance
You can request our free Victim’s Survival Guide to Car Accidents here:
👉 https://www.shanesmithlaw.com/car-accident-victim-survival-guide/
Or visit:
👉 https://www.shanesmithlaw.com/
In pain? Call Shane.
📞 980-999-9999
