After an accident, even one that’s clearly not your fault, saying “I’m sorry” may feel natural. However, you should avoid saying “sorry” or any other word of apology in this situation.
This is because doing so may result in the other party taking it as an admission of guilt. This is especially the case if you are speaking to an insurance adjuster.
Instead of saying you are sorry, you can try to express your concern for the other party in some other way. For example, you can ask everyone involved in the accident if they are injured, need medical assistance, or anything else. You can also begin the exchange of insurance information without giving your opinion about the accident or talking about who is to blame for the situation.
Right after a car accident occurs, you may not be thinking very clearly. Because of this, it’s best to say less.
You can give a very basic overview of the accident to the authorities and even the insurance adjuster; however, try not to make an official statement before calming down, getting medical care, and speaking to our legal team. There’s no need to speak to the insurance company for the other, at-fault driver on your own.
After an accident, it’s also a good idea to get in touch with our legal team at the Burkett Law Firm. We can handle all the issues you may face and ensure you have quality representation to help you recover the compensation you deserve.
Some of the Top Reasons to Avoid Apologizing After a Car Accident
Some of the top reasons to avoid apologizing after a car accident occurs can be found here.
Apologizing Is Seen as You Admitting Fault for the Accident
As mentioned above, if you apologize after an accident, it will create a record of the apology. This will be seen by the insurance company. Remember, insurance companies are trying to reduce what they pay out as much as possible. If you apologize, this is all they need to reduce the compensation you receive.
You Don’t Have All the Facts Yet
Even if you believe that you are to blame for the accident, there is no reason for you to accept responsibility, especially if you don’t have all the facts. Instead, you should leave assigning fault to the authorities who respond to the accident and your attorney. They will fully investigate the situation to ensure that you know the facts of the case before saying anything to anyone.
Talking to an Insurance Adjuster
The insurance company for the at-fault party will likely call you after you are involved in a car accident to try to make you take the blame for the situation. You shouldn’t offer any type of admission or say you are at fault. If you do this, then it may result in you risking the possibility of recovering compensation. It’s also smart to let us handle talking to the insurance adjuster on your behalf.
What if You Apologized at the Accident Scene?
You may be concerned if you apologized at an accident scene. This is something that happens, and you shouldn’t panic.
Just because you said “I’m sorry,” it doesn’t mean that you will automatically be found at fault or guilty. In some cases, juries don’t consider your apology the same thing as admitting you guilty if you are only showing concern for the others involved.
While this is true, you need to be extremely careful about what else you say. When you exchange information with the other driver, be sure you only say what is absolutely necessary. Once done, don’t say anything else.
It’s also a good idea to document everything you can about the accident scene. Take pictures of the vehicles and the environment where the accident occurred. When the authorities arrive, be sure you give them your side of what happened.
You should also get in touch with our legal team right away. We will help mitigate any issues that may arise from apologizing.
Contact Our Legal Team for Help with Your Accident Claim
As you can see from the information here, there are more than a few issues that may arise if you apologize at an accident scene. If you are involved in an accident, the best thing you can do is say as little as possible. You should also get in touch with our experienced car accident lawyers at Burkett Law Firm. We are ready to help with your case and ensure you receive the compensation deserved for your injuries and damages.
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The Most Common Injuries in a Texas Car Accident
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