Being involved in an accident can be overwhelming and the aftermath is often chaotic and confusing. In the midst of all that is occurring, it might feel entirely natural and even polite to apologize to the other party involved, but this seemingly innocuous gesture is actually a mistake that can come back to haunt you, especially if you decide to pursue a personal injury claim.
Here are some reasons why you should refrain from apologizing in the after being involved in an accident:
- It might be perceived as an admission of fault: When you apologize after an accident, whether to the other driver or to the law enforcement officer at the scene, this can be seen as an admission of culpability. In fact, if you apologize to the officer, it is possible this statement might even end up on the police report, which is the last thing you want to happen. The insurance company will see this report and use it as evidence against you in an attempt to avoid compensating you appropriately for your injuries and other losses.
Apologizing might not be enough to completely deny you compensation, but it can certainly be enough to assign you part of the blame, which can significantly reduce the amount you receive.
- You do not know all of the facts yet: Accidents happen suddenly and out of the blue, which probably means you do not really have a clear understanding of what happened or how it was caused. Even if you believe you are responsible for the accident, why jump to conclusions when your personal injury attorney and law enforcement will conduct a thorough investigation of what occurred? Let them do their jobs before you start apologizing.
- Focus on what is important: Instead of apologizing, do something that will really matter. Check to see if everyone is okay. Call for emergency medical assistance if someone is injured. If everyone is okay, you can begin exchanging information, including names, insurance information, phone numbers, and license plate numbers. With everything that needs to be done at the scene of an accident, you should not be wasting time or compromising your case by apologizing.
- Be careful with what you say to the insurance company: The insurance adjuster you speak to might seem nice and helpful, but remember that he or she is not your friend. Insurance companies have one goal – to pay you as little as possible. When speaking to an insurance adjuster, never apologize, or this will be used against you later on.
Tampa Bay Car Accident Attorney
If you were recently injured in a car accident caused by another party’s negligent actions, contact the Tampa Bay car accident attorneys at the Paulsen Law Group. Our skilled legal team has been serving the Tampa Bay area for over 15 years and believes you should focus on your recovery during this time, which is why we do not charge legal fees unless we can win your case.
Contact our office today at (727) 270-8260 to schedule a free consultation.