When you’re in a car accident, it may feel completely natural to start apologizing to the other party. However, this is one of the most common mistakes that people make. You should never admit fault or say anything that can be taken as an admission of guilt because this can seriously hinder how much compensation you can receive if your case goes to court. That is why it’s important to contact a car accident attorney after you’ve been involved in an accident.
To make your case progress as smoothly as possible (and to maximize your damages), here are five reasons you should never admit fault in a car accident.
1. You May Not Be Able To Recover Compensation You Deserve
When speaking with a car accident lawyer, the first thing they will tell you is that admitting fault can reduce the damages you should receive from the court. This can include money needed to repair your car, any medical bills you might have incurred from the accident, and the time you’ve taken off from work to deal with your injuries. Immediately after an accident, the extent of your injuries may not be very apparent but may arise some time later.
Even if you do believe that you could be partially at fault for the accident, it’s still important that you don’t say anything at all. You may still be entitled to recover some money, but if you admit guilt, those damages may be reduced further or even eliminated.
2. The Statement You Make To Police Can Be Used Against You
When the police show up to make a report, they’re going to ask for your side of the story. If you admit fault in what you say to them, then this will be added to the report. This report can then be used by the insurance company, determine that the accident was your fault, and won’t pay out. In addition, if the other party was injured and you admit fault, then you’re putting yourself at risk for a personal injury lawsuit.
That isn’t to say you should lie; you should answer the police officer’s questions as truthfully as you can. You should not be guessing or making any assumptions about what happened. Instead, you should stick to the facts without admitting guilt or fault of any kind.
3. You’re Not Legally Required To Admit Fault
Even if you feel that you are clearly responsible for a car accident, you are not required to admit any kind of guilt. Most people believe that if they caused the accident, admitting fault means that the process will be faster and a lot smoother so that they can move on from this. However, admitting fault means that the insurance company will have to pay for the damages which can increase your insurance premiums. Your driving record will also reflect the accident, which could end up being a problem in the future.
When speaking with the other party or the police, refrain from saying statements like “I’m sorry,” “I apologize,” “It was my fault,” or “I didn’t see the other driver.”
4. Insurance Companies May Deny Your Claim
After an accident takes place, insurance companies will want to talk to you about what happened and the events that took place afterward. If you admit fault in the accident, then your claim is going to be devalued or denied outright. Even in the event that you don’t admit fault, insurance agents may record your call in order to find evidence that the accident was your fault so that they don’t have to pay. These recordings can be used in court to hurt your chances if you’re seeking to recover money from the other party.
This is because insurance companies want to pay as little as possible, and are trained to ask leading questions to frame the accident as being your fault. If you do receive a phone call, you should decline any questions about who or what caused the accident, what you were doing at the time of the accident, or who you think is responsible. Instead, you should direct your insurance company to look at the details in the police report to fill in these blanks.
5. You’re Not A Professional Car Accident Investigator
There are many factors that come into play when a car accident occurs. Even if you believe that you might be at fault for the accident, there may be underlying or unknown factors that contribute. One good example of this is if the brakes on your car fail that could have prevented you from stopping in time. In addition, the other party could have been drinking or not wearing a seatbelt, resulting in their injuries being more serious.
Because there are so many contributing factors that you may not be aware of, an investigation may be required to determine what actually caused the accident to occur. However, if you admit fault, then this investigation does not take place and those contributing factors will not be brought up in court. Having a professional car accident investigator, on the other hand, may be able to piece together exactly what happened and provide some much-needed insight as to who and what is really responsible for the accident.
A car accident can be a traumatic and painful experience, to the point that you’re not entirely sure what you’re doing or saying. That’s why it’s important to maintain a clear head and remain calm during such a situation. The more you can accurately remember, the clearer the police report will be. Just remember to never make any incriminating statements that could be taken as an admission of guilt.
If you or someone you know has been involved in a car accident, be sure to contact a reputable attorney nearest you to look over your case. You want a professional who is capable of handling your case and helping you get your fair share of damages as a result of the car accident. Don’t wait, call now!