Being in a car accident can be traumatizing and it can cause you to have lapses in judgment immediately after. If you are ever in a car accident, you should do your best to remember that what you say can impact how the accident is handled and you should avoid saying certain things.
Don’t Say You’re Fine
Many accidents will result in injuries, even if they are minor ones. However, it’s common for people to not notice these injuries immediately. In some cases, you may not notice the effects until the next day. After you’re in an accident, you shouldn’t ever say that you are fine. If you say you’re fine and then later say you were injured, that can be used against you. At the moment, you may not be sure if you are actually fine or not, so it’s better to say nothing. Don’t say you are not injured because you may not be sure and you don’t want your injuries to be discounted later.
Don’t Admit Fault
Whatever you do, you should never admit fault in an accident. After an accident, you may feel the need to explain yourself, make excuses, or apologize. These types of statements can lead to you admitting fault for the accident. Apologizing means you could be held liable for the accident and this affects how the insurance companies evaluate any claims that are made. Instead, wait until a police officer arrives on the scene. They will take statements from everyone and determine who was at fault. If you admit fault, then you could be ruining your chances of receiving any compensation from the insurance companies involved.
Don’t Say It’s Okay
Many people are distressed after an accident and you might feel the need to comfort them. While you can do all you can to calm others down and help them relax after the stress of the accident, you shouldn’t tell them it’s okay. This is for your own legal protection. When you say it’s okay, this can be misinterpreted legally and can prevent you from seeking any legal action. You need to be careful with what you say because the wrong words can work against you.
Accidents are scary and you may be left confused. However, you need to make sure you keep track of what you say to others. Your words can come back to hurt you. Make careful statements when talking with others after an accident.
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