Your parents may have told you to say “sorry” after breaking something or hurting someone’s feelings. People are largely polite when it comes to also saying “please” and “thank you” in public. While this evidence of politeness is largely a good thing, it can be terrible for you after a car accident.
Collisions can be jarring, frightening, and disorienting. You may not know who exactly was at fault in the crash, you or the other party. Perhaps both of you were to blame. When you exit your car to check on the other driver, the first words out of your mouth should be, “Are you okay” or “Do you need me to call an ambulance.”
While you may be sorry for yourself and the other driver, you should never say “I’m sorry” or “Sorry about that.” Not only can the driver mistake the apology for an admission of guilt, but so can any nearby witnesses to the event. For example, if someone walks up to your cars to ensure you and the other driver are safe, the first thing they might hear is you apologizing to the other driver. That person is now a witness to the event and may testify you were saying sorry for something you must have done.
You want to avoid saying this, not because you’re guilty, but because you don’t want to be blamed for something that wasn’t your fault. Insurance companies will do all they can to avoid paying a car crash claim. If the other driver’s insurance company can use your policy as an admission of guilt, they will try to deny you coverage for medical bills, property damage, and lost wages—even if the other party was at fault.
If you’ve found yourself in this situation already, you need the help of a skilled Longview personal injury attorney on your side. Our firm, Erskine & McMahon LLP, is experienced in dealing with similar cases. Our proven legal advocacy might be just what you need to recover compensation for any expenses the accident may have caused. We have over 100 years of combined legal experience to offer your case. We can also help investigate the details of the case and prove another driver’s negligence or reckless driving was at fault for the accident. Let us see how we can help.
Tell us about your case by calling (903) 500-2490 or filling out our online form with your case information. We look speaking with you in your case consultation.