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Should I Give a Statement to the Insurance Company After a Truck Accident?

Don't give a recorded statement without talking to a lawyer

In short, no.  Always call the best personal injury lawyer you can find before considering speaking with an adverse insurance adjuster. Many of the top-rated truck accident lawyers offer free telephone consultations.

Driving is safer now than ever before, but it is still dangerous. According to the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT), an accident occurs about once a minute in the state. Luckily, many accidents are minor. However, sometimes they result in serious injuries. If you were injured in a car accident, you need to protect your rights with help from a Houston semi-truck accident attorney. Your lawyer will review the details of your accident and help you get the money you deserve for your injuries.

What Happens After a Traffic Accident?

After an accident, the other driver’s insurance company will contact you to obtain a statement and to learn about your injuries. It is important to know that the insurance representatives almost always record phone conversations. They will ask you questions about how the accident happened, what you saw, and how you think it occurred. The conversation may seem benign, but your answers to these questions could have a significant impact on your ability to recover compensation for your damages.

The insurance company may try to use your own statement against you later. For instance, if you tell them you were traveling quickly, they could try to say that you were speeding and caused the crash. Keep in mind that the insurance company will always try to keep their expenses down and will not always have your best interests in mind. For that reason, it is best to talk to a knowledgeable Houston accident lawyer before you agree to speak to the insurance company. If you choose to give a statement, you will get some guidance from a lawyer before you discuss the matter with the insurance adjuster.

Modified Comparative Negligence in Texas

Texas uses a modified comparative negligence rule in personal injury claims. A percentage of fault is ascribed to each driver involved in a crash. Drivers may get compensation for their damages as long as their percentage of fault does not exceed 50%. With the rule in place, insurance companies may try to place some blame for the accident on the other driver. The statement you give to the insurance company could be used to prove that you were partly or fully at fault for the accident.

The insurance company should use information from a variety of sources to make a determination of fault in an accident. They review the police report and witness statements as well as the statements of the drivers. Remember that anything you say to the insurance adjuster will be part of the permanent record of the case and it could make it harder to get the money you are owed.

Speak With a Truck Accident Attorney

The best thing to do following an accident is to discuss the matter with an experienced big rig accident attorney.  A good lawyer will review the details of the situation and give you support and guidance on how to talk to the insurance company.

If you were hurt in an accident, do not try to go it alone. Get the help you need from our knowledgeable legal team. Call us today for a free initial case consultation.

Call (281) 893-0760

 

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About Greg Baumgartner

Truck accident lawyer Greg Baumgartner
Greg Baumgartner is a preeminent rated personal injury lawyer based in Houston, Texas, with over three decades of experience representing severely injured clients in truck accidents. He founded Baumgartner Law Firm, in 1985, with a mission to provide excellent legal representation and personalized attention to every client.