What to Say (and Not Say) After a Car Accident
Car accidents are everyday occurrences, but to anyone involved they’re hardly normal. A serious accident can cause massive amounts of trauma in a split second, and it’s understandable that in the minutes after emotions may run high. However, some things that might be said in the chaos are not only unwise; they can cost you a lot of money down the road. Here are a few tips and information for after you’re involved in an accident.
What Not to Say After a Car Accident
Never Say “I’m Sorry” to Anyone
Even though it’s often a habit to apologize when an accident happens, you need to eliminate that from your vocabulary after a collision. You may mean well, but it can be used as evidence you believe you were at fault after the fact. This goes for saying “I’m sorry” to other motorists involved, passengers, law enforcement, or even good Samaritans who stop to help.
Do Not Say You Caused the Accident
When you’re giving a statement about the accident, just give facts. Don’t include your personal thoughts about whether you were to blame or had any responsibility in causing the accident to anyone – even if the other driver is blaming you.
No “I Think” Statements
If you’re not sure about the answer to any questions, don’t guess or say you “think” you know. This includes things like how fast you were traveling, estimates about distance between vehicles, or other details. Just say you don’t know.
Don’t Say “I’m Fine” or “I’m Okay”
If you’re not sure what you’re saying is true, don’t say it. It can take days after an accident for signs of some injuries to show. So, until you’ve been evaluated by a doctor and had a few days to see if any symptoms develop, don’t say anything to anyone about your medical condition.
Any Official Recorded Statement
Avoid giving recorded statements unless your attorney advises you to do so. You don’t have to give any recorded statements about the accident – even if someone may try to convince you that’s the case. That information can often be manipulated or twisted by an insurer to make the accident or your injuries seem different than they were.
What’s Safe to Say After a Car Accident
Though you may want to say something, the smartest thing you can do is keep quiet after an accident. Remain calm and check whether any passengers in your car as well as drivers and passengers in any other vehicles are hurt. You may want to exchange information with the other drivers, but don’t make accusations or any kind of apology. Also, it’s always a good idea to notify law enforcement so they can create an accident report; some states require it for injury and fatality accidents.
Speak to an Attorney
Car accidents are emotional events, but it’s best not to let a chaotic situation get the best of you and hurt your chances of recovery down the road for your injuries. Before you speak to anyone else, contact the skilled California Car Accident Attorneys at Daneshrad Law today to make sure you don’t say the wrong thing and hurt your chances for maximum recovery. Attorney Alan Daneshrad spent years delivering aggressive representation for victims and recovering millions in damages for their injuries. Call us 24/7 at (888) 881-3529 to schedule a free initial case consultation. Let us evaluate your case and work hard to get you the best possible results for you in Los Angeles, San Francisco, San Jose, and throughout California.
