Admitting Fault in a Car Accident: Some Do’s and Don’ts

Every year, car crashes kill or seriously injure almost five million Americans. Most people know they should never admit fault after a car accident, even if they believe they were clearly in the wrong. However, many people unintentionally do things, or don’t do things, which are tantamount to admitting fault.

Words like “fault” and “liability” are legal terms. First responders often assign fault to one driver, but this determination is preliminary and mostly for insurance purposes. Only an Orlando car accident lawyer can evaluate your case and determine liability for damages. These damages usually include compensation for economic losses, such as medical bills, and noneconomic losses, such as pain and suffering.

DON’T Say I’m Sorry

Particularly in the South, people often apologize to express sympathy. But in court, an apology could be construed as an admission of fault in a car accident claim. So, instead of simply saying “I’m sorry,” you could say “I’m sorry this happened to you.” Or, better still, simply don’t say anything to anyone. More on that below.

DO See a Doctor

Always accept medical treatment at the scene and always see a doctor ASAP. Unless you do these things, the insurance company might subsequently argue that your injuries must not have been that bad. There’s a medical basis as well. Most car wreck victims don’t know how badly they were hurt until a doctor examines them, especially if they sustained a head injury.

DON’T Give a Statement to the Other Insurance Company

On TV, insurance telephone adjusters like Jake from State Farm are friendly, helpful people. But in the real world, insurance companies train these individuals to extract damaging information from victims. Eventually, the other driver’s insurance company needs to hear your side of the story. But they do not need to hear it right away, especially if you were badly hurt and not thinking clearly.

DO Call a Lawyer

You never know how badly you were hurt until you see a car crash physician. Likewise, you don’t know how much compensation you are entitled to until you speak with a lawyer. Unless you call a lawyer, you are surrendering any legal rights you might have.

Be careful not to indirectly admit fault after a car accident. For a free consultation with an experienced Orlando car crash lawyer, contact Moe DeWitt, your Orlando car accident attorney. Lawyers can connect victims with doctors, even if they have no money or insurance.

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