Posted on Wednesday, September 28th, 2016 at 5:53 pm
Being involved in a traffic accident is a traumatic experience, even if you are not seriously injured. However, even low-speed collisions can cause serious injuries. When the other driver is at fault for the crash, you are entitled to seek compensation for your injuries, losses, and damages through an accident claim.
Making a successful accident claim can be difficult, especially if the insurance company for the other driver is challenging fault. Therefore, there are some statements you should avoid saying after a traffic accident because these statements can hurt your accident claim and make it much harder to recover compensation for your injuries.
“I’m sorry.”
Saying you are sorry is simply instinctual when you almost bump into someone in the store; you are in a traffic accident; or, when the waitress is handing you the bill and it falls to the floor. It is just natural to offer some sort of apology even when you are not at fault. Doing this at an accident scene can harm your claim. Avoid saying anything that can be mistaken or construed as an apology after a car accident. This is true even if you truly believe you were at fault for the collision.
“I think . . .”
You can pretty much fill in the blank — “I think the traffic light was green,” “I think I was going the speed limit,” or “I think the other car crossed the center line.” It is okay not to know the answer to a question. However, it is best to say you do not know rather than guess or lie. It is best to say you do not know rather than guess or lie. Better yet, consult with an experienced Sacramento car accident attorney before answering any questions related to the collision or your injuries.
“I’m fine.”
You can also add, “I’m okay,” to this section. Much like saying “I’m sorry,” it is almost automatic to say you are fine or you are okay when another person asks how you are doing. However, it can take hours or days for some symptoms to manifest after a car accident. If you tell the officer you are not injured and you are okay, this information will probably be placed in the police report. Instead, say you want to seek medical attention. The same also applies during your recovery.
Don’t answer Facebook or other social media requests about your recovery with “I’m fine” or “I’m okay.” In fact, don’t discuss your recovery online at all. If you are claiming you are injured, but the attorney for the other party obtains copies of your social media where you are telling people you are okay, it could damage your accident claim. You don’t want to exaggerate your injuries, but you don’t want to gloss over them either. Just stay away from social media until your claim is settled.
Do You Need A Sacramento Car Accident Attorney For Your Accident Claim?
If you have been injured in a traffic accident, then you do need an experienced attorney on your side. You need someone who will fight for your right to receive full compensation for your injuries. You need someone who will stand up to the insurance company to protect your best interest. We can help!
You can reach the Tiemann Law Firm by calling (916) 999-9000 or by chatting with a representative on our website. We offer free legal consultations and free case evaluations so you can get answers to all of your questions before you decide how to proceed with your claim.
