If you are in an auto accident, what you say right after it can affect the amount of compensation you receive. This is because anything you say at the accident scene or elsewhere (including online) can be used against you later and could lower the value of your claim.
What You Say Can and Will Be Used Against You…
To help make sure you don’t say anything that could hurt your case, right after an auto accident:
* Don’t say the accident caused you no injuries. Immediately after an accident, many people try to brush it off, saying things like “It’s okay, I’m not hurt.” It’s important to remember that many injuries don’t show up until later, so until you have been fully examined by a doctor, don’t claim you suffered no injuries from the accident. If you say at the accident scene that you weren’t hurt, this statement can be used by an insurance company or the other side to justify denying your claim or lowering the amount of compensation you receive.
* Don’t take any blame for the accident. After an accident, many people say something along the lines of “I’m sorry, it was my fault.” Until you have all the facts, it is not wise to admit fault for the accident. Many accidents are caused by things the driver did not see or know about — things that put blame for the accident elsewhere. To protect your rights after a car accident, the best course is to not take any blame for it until you have consulted your lawyer and a full investigation has been made.
* Don’t discuss specifics of the accident. Things like how fast each party was going, who had the right of way, and other circumstances of the accident are issues best left for the lawyers and experts to resolve later. After an auto accident, it’s best to just exchange key information with the other driver (name, address, phone number, driver’s license number, insurance company, policy number and information about the car) and then leave the scene without going into the details of the accident.
After an auto accident, panic and confusion can cause you to not think clearly. Because of this, and because you don’t have all the facts of the accident immediately after it, do not discuss fault or your injuries at the accident scene or anywhere else before first consulting your lawyer. Watching what you say after an auto accident can help you receive the maximum compensation for your injuries and losses.
You Need Great Legal Advice…
You need someone who is on your side and knows exactly what they’re doing. Barry R. Rabovsky only represents injured individuals and their families. With more than 29 years of experience as a personal injury attorney in the Chicago metropolitan area, he is well known and highly regarded. He is an aggressive, skilled trial lawyer with a reputation for excellence that makes his retention a key to success in complex, adversarial personal injury proceedings. Contact Barry today toll-free at (800) 822-4321 for a free, no-obligation consultation.