After a Car Accident
Don’t Say Sorry
Being involved in a motor vehicle accident is an overwhelming and chaotic experience. You might feel shaken, frustrated, and completely disoriented. In the heat of the moment, it might feel completely natural to apologize for the accident even if it was not your fault.
But as our team at Essa, Janho & Associates, LLC knows, this simple gesture can jeopardize your chances of obtaining fair compensation for any injuries and property damage you sustained.
Here are some reasons why you should refrain from apologizing after a car accident:
Your apology will be seen as an admission of fault
Apologizing at the scene of the accident creates a record of that apology, which the insurance company will see. Their job is to keep you from obtaining the compensation you deserve. So you can expect them to use your apology against you as evidence of your culpability. While this might not be enough to completely deny you compensation, it could be enough to reduce your compensation.
Focus on the important things
Instead of saying that you are sorry, ask everyone if they are okay and call for emergency medical assistance if necessary. You can also take the time to exchange information, such as:
- driver’s licenses,
- license plate numbers,
- insurance information,
- and phone numbers.
You do not have all the facts
Even if you believe you were at fault for the accident, there is no reason to rush into accepting responsibility. You still do not have all the facts. Let law enforcement and your personal injury attorney do their jobs. Let them fully investigate the accident before jumping to conclusions.
Speaking to the insurance company
The at-fault party’s insurance company is sure to call you after the accident to make you take the blame for the accident. Again, do not offer any admission of fault or any type of apology. This might risk your chance of receiving compensation. You can also ask your personal injury attorney to handle speaking with the insurance adjuster to ensure no mistakes.
I apologized at the scene. What do I do now?
So, you got in an accident and immediately ran out to see if the other person was okay. They complain that they have a sore neck, but nothing much beyond that.
You feel bad that this whole thing happened, even though it wasn’t your fault. You’re searching for something polite to say, so you blurt out, “I am so sorry about this!”
So what now?
First, don’t panic. Just because you said the words “I’m sorry” doesn’t mean you waved a magic wand and now you owe the other driver $100,000. Often juries will not take your apology as an admission of fault if you were expressing concern for the other driver.
However, you will need to be extra careful now in everything that you say. While exchanging information, make sure to only say as much as you need to. When you’re done with that, go back and sit in your car if it’s safe to do so.
Next, document the scene.
- Write down everything that happened.
- Take pictures of both vehicles and the environment around you.
- When the police arrive, make sure they hear your side of the story in your police report.
Finally, make sure you contact a lawyer with experience in car accidents and personal injury cases such as the law firm of Essa, Janho & Associates, LLC.
Car Accident Attorneys in Marietta, Georgia
If you were recently injured in a car accident, you will need an experienced and skilled personal injury attorney on your side. At Essa, Janho & Associates, LLC, our legal team has the resources and skills to help you get the fair compensation you deserve for your pain, suffering, and financial losses.
Our firm has decades of collective experience, which we will diligently put to work for you. No legal fees are owed unless we win!!
Contact our office today at 770-955-8322 [English] or 770-771- 3658 [Spanish] to schedule a free, no-risk consultation. Or fill out the form below:
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