Accidents occur within seconds and when they are least expected, with the aftermath often confusing and inconvenient at best. Amidst all the chaos with the other party, you may be tempted to speak up and say something that could work against you in a court of law.
Accidents can be fatal and have long-lasting effects that are capable of turning your future around. While it may seem reasonable to admit fault at that moment, this is usually a bad idea that can force you to pay injury-related expenses and bear the crash burden.
It Is Hard to Withdraw a Liability Admission
Unless you have a qualified motor vehicle accident attorney working in your favor doing away with fault admissions is next to impossible. The responding police officer only needs to have information about the accident from your perspective, even if the other driver is accusing you.
Moreover, the insurance agent and acting police have multiple tasks to attend to and need the easiest person to blame so they can move on to other issues.
The Accident Could Be due to the Other Driver’s Fault
Wait for the investigations to be carried out and the evidence presented before going ahead to say something that could be used against you. For example, the evidence could show that the accident was because of the other driver; withdrawing your statement may not be considered eligible at this point.
The accident may have occurred because the other driver was distracted from eating or was on the phone. Other related factors that could contribute to the accident include:
- Poorly constructed roads
- Faulty traffic lights
- Slippery roads from heavy rains
- Motorist’s refusal to give way
Your Compensation Claim Could be Denied
It is common for motorists involved in an accident to file for claims, repairs or medical bills, and admitting fault affects your chances to receive compensation. Admitting fault–whether accidentally or intentionally—is a critical mistake that can devalue your compensation claim.
What to Avoid Saying After an Accident
Politeness is considered a virtue, and it is a natural reaction to be sympathetic, especially after an accident. Things could turn out to be detrimental and hinder your compensation ability because of your choice of words. Some of the terms to avoid saying are such as:
- I apologize
- It is not your fault
- I did not see you
- I was overspeeding
- I should have seen the stop sign
- I was aiming to beat the yellow light
As hard as it may be, staying calm after an accident is best to avoid blubbing words because it could get you into real trouble. If you are not sure what to say, it is best to say nothing at all.
When the police arrive at the scene, they will question those involved in the crash. Answer all their questions politely and objectively; refrain from any judgment. After they collect and review the evidence, they will have a better view of the incident.
What to Say after an Accident
Immediately after the accident, the honorable thing to do is dial 9-1-1 and make reports about the coalition. Next, you might want to inquire about the other driver’s condition and his passengers and if they incurred any injuries; but remember not to apologize.
The most you can do is exchange insurance information and contacts and avoid saying much at the scene. When talking to the officers, ensure your statement is as factual as possible and without any assumptions or opinions. Also, avoid placing the fault on the other driver and leave the officers to do their job toward determining who is at fault.
Take Legal Action
Legally, you must report any accident cases you involve yourself into the insurance provider. However, be keen on the type of information you tell the agent because they primarily work in their favor. A better alternative is to file the case through online means so that there are minimal physical interactions.
