Even if you want to say “I'm sorry you're late for work” or “I'm sorry that you're hurt,” try to avoid using the words “sorry.” Avoid speculating or approximating your answers. False information can harm your claim or make your account of events appear inaccurate. If you're not sure of the answer to a question, say, “I don't know” and leave your answer like that. Insurance agreements after car accidents are based almost entirely on the injuries suffered in the accident.
However, many injuries that are common in collisions don't show up right away. For example, whiplash, traumatic brain injuries (TBI), and other invisible injuries can appear days or even weeks after the incident. Admissions of guilt include saying things like, “I didn't see you” or “you came out of nowhere.” Don't admit that you looked away from the road, ignored traffic signs, or did anything else that could mean that you were at fault for the accident. After an accident, don't guess what happened.
Tell me everything you saw, heard and felt. Don't guess anything about what happened because it could be used against you later on. If you don't know exactly what happened, tell the people around you that you don't know. A police investigation of the accident and eyewitness statements can help fill in the gaps.
After seeking medical treatment, contact your own insurance company to let you know about the accident. Other people can easily misunderstand your words—namely, the driver and passengers of the other car and the officer who writes an accident report, and they will cause you great difficulty if you decide to file an injury lawsuit. Before you do any of that, you should consult with a reputable car accident lawyer, and there are several in and around Syracuse. The car goes off the road and hits a tree or other obstacle at full speed or, worse, veers along the center line into oncoming traffic and causing a head-on collision.
That's why you should know in advance what to do and, perhaps more importantly, what not to do after a car accident. Finally, never talk to the other person's insurance company about the details of your accident or your aches and injuries, and certainly don't talk to them about resolving your case. After a car accident in which you were not at fault, the other driver's insurance company may contact you to offer a settlement offer. In addition, get all the identifying information about the other driver and the car, as well as their insurance information.
In car accident cases, the other driver's insurance agent is likely to call you on the phone to try to get you to give a “recorded statement” about how the accident occurred even before you had time to hire an attorney. An experienced car accident lawyer will simplify the process for you to ensure that you get the compensation you need. An experienced car accident lawyer can simplify the process to ensure that you get the compensation you need to move forward. Saying the wrong thing after a car accident jeopardizes your right to compensation for damages that you are entitled to.
There are things you should do after a car accident, such as exchanging contact information and insurance information with the other driver. Seek legal representation early in your car accident claims process to avoid other problems that may arise as you seek a settlement.
