Immediately after a car accident, you’re likely to be shaken up and possibly injured.
It’s very important that you stay calm, as when emotions run high, it’s easy to say things without thinking them through. Here are five things you should never say following a car accident:
I’m sorry – Apologizing is the same as admitting fault. If the other driver, witnesses, or responding police officers hear you, they may assume you caused the accident even if you weren’t responsible.
I didn’t see you – This statement could also be viewed as an admission of guilt. There are several reasons you may not have seen the other vehicle such as the driver ran a red light.
That’s not what happened – If you hear the other driver or witnesses telling officers things you don’t believe are true, don’t blurt out “that’s not what happened” or something of the effect. The officers know that accounts will vary, and will sort out fact from fiction after taking statements from the involved parties.
I think the accident was caused by… – Never give your opinion on what happened. The insurance company could later twist your words in an effort to avoid paying for your damages.
I don’t have any injuries – Some injuries are apparent right away, while others such as whiplash, concussions, and herniated discs may not present for days or even weeks after the accident. If you mention at the scene you are not injured, and you later feel pain, you may have trouble proving your injuries resulted from the crash.
If you sustained injuries in a car accident, please contact us to discuss your case.