Should I give a recorded statement to the insurance company?

In most cases, you should decline to give a recorded statement to the opposing party's insurance company until you have consulted with an attorney. The other driver's or party's insurer has no legal right to compel you to give a recorded statement before litigation. Anything you say can be used to minimize or deny your claim — even innocent, well-intentioned statements can be mischaracterized or taken out of context. You may inadvertently downplay your injuries ("I'm fine" is a common mistake), make inconsistent statements, or speculate about fault before you have all the facts. If you have your own insurer, your policy may require you to cooperate with your own company's investigation, but you should still consult an attorney first. The safest approach is to retain an attorney who will communicate on your behalf and prepare any necessary statements strategically.