Cooper Law Group | Personal Injury Trial Firm

What you say after a car accident matters

On Behalf of | Oct 13, 2023 | PERSONAL INJURY - Personal Injury

Millions of people drive every single day. Usually, this goes without serious incident. Unfortunately, a significant minority aren’t as lucky, and there are nearly 20,000 crashes every day in the U.S.

Many of these collisions result in severe injuries and even fatalities. If your accident was caused by another’s negligence, you may be entitled to personal injury compensation. However, it’s important to remember that what you say after the accident is crucial.

Outlined below are a few important things to consider.

Avoid anything that indicates you were at fault

If an accident was not your fault, you want to avoid anything that could be construed as admitting fault. Even a simple apology could be taken this way. For example, if you say something like “I’m sorry, I just didn’t see you there,” this could be interpreted as an admission of fault.

Insurers will probe for any evidence that could mean they don’t need to pay in full. This is something to keep in mind if you’ve been in a crash.

Avoid saying you are uninjured

Generally, an individual’s adrenaline is pumping after an accident. You may not feel any pain or notice any obvious signs of injury. That doesn’t mean you aren’t hurt. After the adrenaline wears off, your injuries may become more noticeable.

Many severe injuries, such as internal bleeding and traumatic brain injuries can have delayed symptoms. It could take days or even weeks for these to appear, and your personal injury claim could be jeopardized if you originally said you were uninjured by the crash.

A personal injury claim cannot undo your injuries but it can help with medical expenses and living costs. Seek legal guidance to find out if you qualify.