What You Should (and Should Not) Say After a Car Accident
It is surprising to learn, but the emptier roads that have resulted from the coronavirus pandemic have led to even more deadly car accidents. If you are one of the motorists who has experienced a car accident this year, understand that there are some things you should say as well as some things you should not say after the crash that can greatly influence the outcome of your case as well as your ability to obtain compensation.
Avoid Admitting Fault
Following a car accident, you should avoid admitting any degree of fault. This could later be used as an admission of guilt against you. This holds true even for an impulsive and innocent “sorry” after an accident. While it is a good idea to avoid saying you are sorry or that you caused an accident, you should still attempt to gather contact and insurance information from the other drivers involved in the accident.
If the Accident Was Your Fault
Even if you believe that you caused the accident, you should still avoid apologizing at the scene of the accident. This is because you might discover later that other factors were the true cause of the accident. For example, defective car parts like inadequate brake pads might also have contributed to the accident. Admitting fault in the immediate aftermath will only complicate matters later on.
How to Respond to the Other Driver
If you have been involved in a car accident with another vehicle, one of the best things that you can do is to make sure that the other driver and passengers are okay. While it is easy to get angry after an accident, maintaining a calm demeanor is the best course of action. Make sure that everyone else involved in the accident is safe and call the police as well as emergency medical crews to the scene, if necessary.
What to Say to the Law Enforcement Officer
If law enforcement arrives at the scene of your accident, appreciate that the officer will often talk to the individual whom they believe is responsible first. While the other driver is being interviewed, avoid interfering or eavesdropping. Instead, try to consider everything you remember about the accident. When you are interviewed by law enforcement, remember to be brief and courteous.
Stay Off Social Media
While you should always avoid making incriminating statements at the scene, it is just as important to avoid saying anything online that could hurt your chances of receiving compensation for your injuries. Data reveals that as of September 2019, 2.50 billion people use Facebook. If you are one of these users, you should refrain from making any comments relating to your accident on Facebook as well as other social media platforms like Twitter and Snapchat. It is best to stay off all social media altogether while your personal injury claim is pending, but if you must go online, make sure not to share anything that might work against you later on.
Speak with an Experienced Car Accident Attorney
If you or a loved one was injured in an Anchorage car accident, you should not hesitate to speak with an experienced lawyer right away. Contact Power & Power Law today to schedule a free case evaluation.