When you have been involved in a serious accident, it is crucial to not only understand your rights, but to exercise caution when you talk with anyone. You should be able to work with a professional attorney to move forward with getting the settlement you need to heal and recover, although many people don't see it that way.
Choosing a new attorney could be the difference between getting a great settlement and watching possibilities slip out of your fingers. On this blog, learn more about what it means to work with a new lawyer, and how they could help you to start on the road to recovery.
Admissions Of Fault After A Car Accident
After a car accident, things can be confusing. Everything you say after an accident can influence your ability to be paid for your losses. To find out why and how to avoid this, read on.
Fault Matters
The party that is determined to have caused your accident will be the target of all financial damages. Even if you have insurance, your insurance may be canceled, and your premiums could be raised after an accident in which you were at fault. If you have inadequate insurance (or no insurance), you could be personally financially liable for the other driver's damages. Judges can freeze your assets, place liens on your property, and garnish your wages to pay accident judgments.
What Can You Say?
The only people you can speak with are law enforcement personnel and medical responders. If your accident occurred in a busy area, you will likely be asked repeatedly if you are okay. That is just what people do. However, what you say in response could damage your case. You don't know for sure whether you are okay or not at this point. Anything you do say is probably inaccurate because of your shock. When you are asked by strangers about your injuries, "I don't know" is a perfectly acceptable response. However, let medical personnel know about any injuries that you know about or suspect, no matter how minor. They need to know about your status so they can do their job and help you.
What Can You Avoid Saying?
Avoid interacting with the other driver or their passengers at all. If you can exchange contact and insurance information, do so. Don't say anything else, however. Specifically, avoid these phrases:
- You came from nowhere.
- I never saw you coming.
- I am sorry.
- I was distracted for a moment.
- I must have run the red light or stop sign.
And more.
It must be emphasized that you are not in any position to determine fault at this time. That is the job of law enforcement, insurance adjusters, and accident investigators. Eyewitnesses, if available, will be interviewed to help form a complete picture of how the accident occurred. Your idea of what caused the accident is based on inaccurate information and your perceptions are not to be relied upon. That is why speaking about the cause of the accident can be harmful.
Speak only to a personal injury lawyer about the accident and never to the other insurer. Contact a firm such as Cormany Law to learn more.