Do I Have to Give the Other Driver's Insurance Company a Recorded Statement?
In almost every case, no — you are generally not legally required to give a recorded statement to the other driver's insurance company, and doing so before speaking with a lawyer can quietly damage your claim.
Why the adjuster is calling so fast
If the other driver's insurer called within a day or two of your crash, friendly and eager to "just get your side of the story," that speed is not customer service — it's strategy. They want your account on the record before you have seen a doctor, learned the full extent of your injuries, or spoken with a lawyer. Early statements lock you into details you cannot yet know are wrong.
What a recorded statement is actually used for
The adjuster is trained to ask questions that produce quotable answers. "How are you feeling?" sounds like sympathy, but "I'm okay, thanks" becomes evidence you were not seriously hurt. Questions about speed, distance, and timing are designed to pin down estimates they can later use to argue you were partly at fault — which, under the comparative-fault rules in Florida, Texas, and South Carolina, directly reduces what they pay.
Your own insurer is different
There is an important distinction. Your own insurance policy usually contains a "cooperation clause" that can require you to give them a statement. That is a separate obligation from the other side's insurer, who you generally owe nothing. Even with your own company, it is wise to understand your rights first — a lawyer can be present or handle the communication for you.
What to do when they call
You can be brief and polite. Confirm only the basics — your name, that you were involved, the date — and then say your attorney will handle further communication. You do not have to answer questions, agree to a recording, or accept blame. Then call a lawyer before you say anything more. A free consultation costs nothing and protects everything.