After a truck accident in Texas, it doesn’t take long for the trucking company or its insurance adjuster to reach you. But no matter what they promise, they’re not on your side. One of the first things they’ll ask for is a recorded statement about what happened, making it seem like a routine part of the process — but it’s not, and you should NEVER agree without seeking legal guidance first. Doing so could seriously hurt your claim.
With Billions won for accident victims, including some of the largest truck and 18-wheeler accident verdicts and settlements in history, our undefeated Texas Truck Accident Lawyers are the team that trucking companies fear. We have the resources and experience to stand up against the largest transportation corporations and insurance companies in the world and not just win, but set records, ensuring our clients have the financial resources they need to rebuild their lives and secure their futures.
Again, the short answer is no. You are not required to give a recorded statement to the other party’s insurance company, and you should not give one without consulting with a personal injury attorney first. Continue reading to learn more about why this is the case.
Why the Insurance Company Wants Your Statement
The trucking company’s insurer is not reaching out because they want to help you. Like any insurance company, its goal is to pay out as little as possible on your claim. They are a business, and every dollar they pay you is a dollar off their bottom line.
A recorded statement gives the adjuster a chance to lock you into a specific version of events early on, often before you fully understand the extent of your injuries. They may ask leading questions designed to get you to downplay your pain, for instance, or say something that contradicts your medical records later.
Innocent-sounding answers can be taken out of context in these cases and may be used to deny your claim. For example, if you say you’re “feeling okay” during the call, that statement could later be used to argue that your injuries aren’t as serious as you claim.
You Are Not Legally Required To Give One
Under Texas law, you are not obligated to provide a recorded statement to the trucking company’s insurer. This is the other party’s insurance company, not yours. You have no contractual relationship with them, and there is no statute that forces you to comply with their request.
Your own insurance policy may require you to cooperate with your insurer’s investigation, but that obligation does not extend to the at-fault party’s carrier. Politely declining their request and stating that you want to get legal advice first is well within your rights, and doing so will not negatively affect your ability to file a claim.
How a Recorded Statement Can Hurt Your Claim
Texas follows a modified comparative negligence standard. Based on this rule, your compensation can be reduced by your assigned percentage of fault. If you are found to be more than 50% responsible for the accident, you lose your right to recover anything at all.
A recorded statement gives the insurer material they can use to shift blame onto you. They may twist your words to argue that you contributed to the crash in some way, even if you didn’t. Once that statement is on record, it becomes very difficult to walk it back.
Truck accident cases often involve large amounts of economic and non-economic damages as well, which means the insurer has every reason to fight your claim aggressively. A recorded statement handed over without legal guidance is one of the easiest weaknesses to exploit.
Call Zehl & Associates To Schedule a Free Consultation With an Undefeated Houston Truck Accident Lawyer
You are under no obligation to give a recorded statement to the trucking company’s insurer after an accident in Texas, nor should you. Doing so without legal advice can put your entire claim in jeopardy. Contact Zehl & Associates today for legal help and a free consultation when you need help.
Our Undefeated Houston truck accident lawyers have recovered billions of dollars for our clients and won’t let the insurance companies try to take advantage of you. We work on contingency, so you only pay attorney’s fees if we win compensation for your claim.
We proudly serve Harris County, Midland County, and throughout the state of Texas. We are located in Houston and Midland and throughout the state of Texas:
Zehl & Associates Injury & Accident Lawyers – Houston
2700 Post Oak Blvd #1000, Houston, TX 77056
(888) 603-3636
Open 24 hours
Zehl & Associates Injury & Accident Lawyers – Midland
306 W Wall St Suite 701, Midland, TX 79701
(432) 220-0000
Open 24 hours