What not to say when you get in an accident?

What you say after a car accident can work for or against you. Being thoughtful about what you say and how you conduct yourself can make a significant difference at the accident scene and during the car accident claim process. Learn what not to say after a crash by following these helpful tips. 

“I’m Not Hurt”

Prevent minimizing the value of your car accident claim by saying these words. Even if you don’t feel injured after an accident, it is still in your best interest to seek medical attention. 

Injuries sustained from a car accident may not appear until hours or days after the collision due to the influx of adrenaline your body may produce at the time of the accident. Do not state you are free from injury or state any injuries at the accident scene. “If you give a description of your injuries, you may not be able to include any injuries you discover later or have forgotten about,” note accident experts at Manchin Injury Law Group, “do not discuss your injuries until you have the opportunity to make a comprehensive list.”

Common car accident injuries include:

• Burn injuries
• Torn ligaments
• Broken bones
• Brain injuries
• Soft-tissue injuries
• Whiplash

“I’m Sorry”

What may sound like an innocent phrase to reduce tension after a collision may actually reduce the amount of money you can recover in your car accident claim. Saying “I’m sorry” when things are inconvenient or to help diffuse tension may be a normal part of your life, but a car accident is a time to hold back on using this phrase. 

Apologies can be interpreted as an admission of fault or guilt, insinuating you were responsible for the accident. Prevent using this phrase to avoid getting a low-ball offer on your settlement amount. 

“That Was My Fault”

Never admit fault after an accident, even if you think you were at fault. Refrain from admitting to any type of unsavory driving behavior, like failing to signal or being distracted. Oftentimes the police report will paint a different, full picture of the collision. 

You are not under any type of legal obligation to admit fault. If you give a statement, only state the facts and do not give more information that what is necessary. 

“I Accept”

Do not accept an insurance company’s offer right away. Instead, consult with an experienced car accident lawyer in your area to learn about all your options for financial compensation. 

Insurance companies avoid spending as much money as possible, often at a car accident victim’s expense. Some insurance companies will use intimidation tactics to convince a car accident victim to take a quick low settlement offer. Most accident lawyers offer free consultations to help victims understand what types of compensation they can recover, including:

• Lost wages
• Past and future medical bills
• Disfigurement
• Lost earning capacity
• Pain and suffering
• Property damage
• Loss of consortium

Protect Yourself By Watching What You Say

After a car collision, avoid saying these four phrases to help protect your legal right to compensation and maximize your financial recovery. Do not let the pressure of other drivers involved in the collision or the insidious tactics of the insurance claims adjuster force you to say something you will later regret. You are your own best advocate after a car accident, so watch what you say! 

It might not seem like much, but the average person will get into a total of at least four accidents throughout their lifetime.

And those accidents are often chaotic, even if they are just minor fender benders. 

After the wreck, you will likely be frazzled, shaken up, or in shock. 

It'll be hard for you to think straight and make logical decisions. 

That's why you must know ahead of time what to do, and maybe more importantly, what not to do after a car accident.

Even more important is knowing what not to say.

Saying the wrong thing after a car accident jeopardizes your right to damages or compensation that's rightfully yours. 

Ruining your chances for fair compensation is the last thing you want to do after a car wreck. 

When deciding who was at fault for the accident, statements made by the drivers to one another, witnesses, or the police are among the most significant forms of evidence.

That's why it's important to say as little as possible following a wreck. 

Always speak with an attorney before saying too much to anyone else.

It can be hard to bite your tongue on certain statements, but it's essential to remain quiet. 

In the article below, we will go over a few things you shouldn't say after being involved in a car accident.

I'm Sorry

Completely eliminate the word "sorry" from your vocabulary after a car wreck. 

Saying sorry after a wreck could be taken as an admission of guilt, and it will likely be used against you down the road, even if you weren't at fault.

It's a tough habit to break for some, but you must avoid apologizing at the scene of an accident.

Even saying you're sorry to someone who wasn't involved in the accident can be used against you. 

For example, even apologizing to someone for creating a traffic jam and making them late for work can be used against you.

Someone close by may think you are apologizing for the accident, and therefore at fault. 

The best thing you can do is avoid saying sorry at all, for any reason.

I'm Not Hurt

Car accidents send your body into overdrive. 

The shock of the wreck sends adrenaline rushing through your system. 

The adrenaline will mask any pains, injuries, or aches that you will eventually feel as a result of the accident.

Just because you feel fine initially, how you feel the next morning might be completely different.

This still causes drivers to assure one another that they're okay. 

It's okay to tell someone that you don't need emergency services called, but you shouldn't tell someone you aren't hurt.

The main reason is that you very well might be. 

Auto accident injuries can take hours or days to reveal themselves. 

If you feel perfectly fine after your accident, you should still visit a doctor or chiropractor before making a final judgment on your well-being.

I Accept

If you're involved in an accident where you were not at fault, the other driver's insurance company may contact you with a settlement offer. 

The first settlement they offer you represents the absolute minimum that your claim is worth. 

The insurance companies are a business trying to make a profit, so they want to settle the claim as quickly as possible for as little as possible. 

That course of action is rarely in your best interest.

Don't ever accept the first claim immediately. 

You may have medical expenses that will come up throughout your recovery or other unforeseen expenses. 

You should always consult with a personal injury lawyer to make sure you receive a fair settlement.

This Is My Official Statement

You're going to be asked a lot of questions after an accident. 

Driver and witness reports are the primary records taken after an accident and are essential to the claims process. 

But your official statement should be different than your on-the-scene account.

Once you give your official statement to your insurance company or the other driver's insurance company, it will be used in all future proceedings. 

That's why you should prepare your statement with your attorney to ensure nothing is left out, or nothing is included that can be used against you.

Navigating the accident recovery process is complicated and intimidating, especially if you are healing from injuries or dealing with significant property damage. 

An experienced car accident attorney will simplify the process for you to ensure that you get the compensation you need. 

Seek legal representation as soon as possible in your auto accident claims process to avoid other pitfalls that can arise as you pursue a settlement.

If you're ever in doubt about whether or not you speak about your accident, consult with your lawyer, or hold your tongue.

It's best not to say anything, and let your attorney handle all of it.

This Is My Fault

This seems like a no brainer, but you also need to avoid admitting fault for the accident. 

When describing the accident, do it straightforwardly without adding any personal opinions into the mix.

This allows the insurance companies to work it out and determine who was at fault. 

Even if you think you are at fault, other factors could put at least some of the fault on the other driver.

Even if you're being blamed for the accident, don't accept the blame.

This is another situation where it's best to say nothing.

You'll learn more about the accident and whose fault it was by listening to what they say without responding.

Again, even if everything points to the accident being your fault, the other driver may have played a role in the accident as well. 

Always avoid claiming fault in front of the other driver, witnesses, your insurance company, or the police.

I Think

If you aren't sure about something, don't say anything about it.

It's better to say that you don't know than to say that "you think" you know something. 

Don't estimate or try to guess the answer, either.

This applies to anything related to your accident, such as the speed you were traveling, the speed the other driver was going, distance assumptions, and other estimates.

Always say you don't know rather than answering a question by guessing.

Don't Say anything

Auto accidents can be shocking and scary and always unexpected.

However, you can still be prepared if one were to happen. 

In the moments following an accident, it can be easy to get flustered and say something you didn't mean. 

That's why it's important to know what not to say.

The above are common phrases that you should avoid saying after an accident. 

Avoiding these statements can help secure your legal options later on.

There are things you need to do after a car wreck, like exchange contact information and insurance information with the other driver.

But, a good rule of thumb is never to say anything else until you've spoken to an attorney, and then let them do all the talking.

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