Why An Apology After an Accident Could Hurt Your Case
After a car accident, many people have an instinct to apologize to the other person or people involved. Emotions are running high, and most want to diffuse a situation that may escalate. Sometimes, an apology can also be an automatic response out of politeness. However, apologizing after an accident can hurt your personal claim if you choose to hold the other parties liable for causing the accident to begin with. Let’s explore why a good-natured apology can actually hurt your case, and why a personal injury attorney in Los Angeles should be the first person you call after any vehicle accident.
Why is an Apology Damaging to My Personal Injury Case?
An apology after a car accident is damaging to your personal injury case because it can immediately be deemed as an admission of fault. Collisions between other vehicles accounted for 79% of recorded injuries in the country in 2023, which means injuries from a car accident are nearly inevitable and apologizing after an accident can immediately hold the speaker to some degree of fault with insurance and other entities.
This is why it is usually recommended to hold off on communicating much with other parties after a car accident. Instead, call the police to immediately have a report generated that records the events of the accident.
What Should I Avoid Saying After an Accident?
So, you’ve been involved in a car accident. Whether it was a head-on collision, rear-end accident, T-bone collision, or other typical car accidents seen on the road in Los Angeles, there are certain things you should avoid saying after an accident if you’re coming face to face with other involved drivers. Typically, our Los Angeles personal injury attorneys advise clients to avoid saying anything along the lines of:
- “I’m sorry.”
- “I should’ve been paying more attention.”
- “I wasn’t looking.”
- “I’m not hurt.”
- “I feel fine.”
- “We don’t have to get the police involved.”
How Should I Speak to Insurance Companies After a Car Accident?
After a car accident, you will most likely be contacted by the other driver’s insurance company. It is important to remember that most insurance companies are eager to lower a payout amount as much as possible, which means they will be looking to hold you to the highest degree of fault possible. This is why you also have to watch what you say when speaking to an adjuster from an insurance company. Recounting a neutral timeline for the events of the accident is key. If you find yourself overwhelmed by speaking to an insurance agent, a Los Angeles personal injury lawyer can handle these communications.
How Can a Los Angeles Personal Injury Attorney Help Me?
After a car accident, you shouldn’t have to navigate the complicated legal process of a claim on your own. Communications with the other driver, insurance, and the other driver’s attorneys can all be handled by a Los Angeles personal injury lawyer. If you’re recovering from painful injuries, such as burns, road rash, or broken bones, a personal injury attorney can file your claim, collect evidence, negotiate a fair settlement, and even represent you in court as needed.
Frequently Asked Questions
What if the Other Person Admits Fault in an Accident?
If the other person admits fault in an accident, be sure to note this with the police and also when communicating with your personal injury attorney. Admitted fault can be a key point of evidence to highlight in your claim.
How Can I Further Prove Their Liability?
Further proving another driver’s liability can involve the use of photos and videos from the accident site, police reports, medical documentation of injuries and treatment plans, and eyewitness testimony from other drivers or pedestrians who witnessed the accident.
How Much Time Do I Have to File a Personal Injury Claim?
You have two years from the date of the accident to file your personal injury claim for compensation after a car accident. Attempting to file after the deadline has passed will result in your case being dismissed.
What Happens if I Am at Fault for a Car Accident?
If you were partially at fault in a car accident, you can still recover compensation in California. This is because California is a comparative negligence state, which means that parties found to be at fault can still obtain compensation. The compensation is reduced by the amount of fault a person is found to be at.
Will a Personal Injury Attorney Still Want to Take My Case if I’m Partially at Fault?
Of course! An experienced personal injury attorney will still take on your case if you’re found to be partially at fault. Do not be afraid to make your voice heard when you work with BD&J.
How Much Does It Cost to Work with a Los Angeles Personal Injury Attorney at BD&J?
Don’t add another thing to your expansive list of financial stressors after an accident. We work on a contingency fee basis, which means our attorneys deduct payment from your compensation amount after the case is settled. In other words, no fees until we win*.
How To Collect Evidence for Your Personal Injury Claim
If you’re collecting evidence to begin filing a personal injury claim after a car accident, take these steps:
- Document everything. – Take multiple photos and videos of the accident site, get the information of other witnesses to reference their testimonies later, and get the other driver’s information in a calm and neutral manner, without admitting to any kind of fault in the development of the accident.
- Go to the hospital to treat your injuries. – No matter how minor your injuries may appear, it is crucial you go to the hospital to get your injuries checked out by a medical professional. Some injuries may not show symptoms until a few days or weeks after the accident, so it is better to be safe rather than sorry.
- Work with a personal injury attorney in Los Angeles. – You’ve gone through a terrifying car accident, now work with an advocating personal injury attorney to file your claim. Working with a lawyer can also help collect more evidence because they can bring in expert testimony from medical professionals and other eyewitnesses to further support your claim.
Personal Injury Attorneys in Los Angeles Who Fight for Car Accident Victims Everyday
Apologizing after a car accident may not be a good idea, but speaking to a Los Angeles personal injury lawyer is. At BD&J, our attorneys have advocated for injured drivers for more than 20 years, recovering more than $2 billion* in damages. Don’t fight another legal battle alone. Schedule your free consultation today to speak with a personal injury lawyer in Los Angeles from BD&J!