Should I give a statement to the insurance company?

No.

That was a good article, wasn’t it?

If you’re the type that wants more info, here ya go:  Generally speaking, less is more when it comes to speaking to the at-fault insurance company after an auto accident.  I look at it as a Miranda Rights situation:  Whatever you say can and will be used against you by them, so err on the side of silence.

“But how will they ever get my side of the story?”, you might ask. Well, ideally you will have a good accident report (and you should give a statement to law enforcement, just make sure you don’t equivocate and accept any blame for anything, assuming you are in the right).  The insurance company folks should be able to use that report to make a decision on liability, so they really don’t NEED a statement; they just want a chance to get you to slip up and give them a way to wiggle out.  The more versions of your statement exist out there, the more inconsistencies can be found, so be careful.

Of course, there are exceptions to every rule.  Sometimes, either because the adjuster/insurance company is just an A$$#^! or perhaps the facts of the accident allow them to do so, they may decide to deny the case in the absence of a firm statement from you.  Frankly, they have the check book and you want the check, so if you want to settle the claim without filing suit then you may be forced into making a statement.  This may or may not be a good idea, so you should seek counsel if you have any doubts.

Let me know if I can help.  919-929-2992.