Is Apologizing After A Car Accident Admitting Fault?

Apologizing after a car wreck may seem like the right thing to do. However, it can backfire. Never say, “I’m sorry” until you’ve had the chance to talk to our New York City car accident lawyers.

Five things you should never do after a car wreck

The first moments after an auto accident can be devastating, not only in a physical sense but also to your opportunities for receiving fair compensation.

Never apologize or admit fault: Determining who’s to blame after a crash is a job best left to a personal injury lawyer. Your duty at the time is to call law enforcement and assist any injured parties.
Never leave the scene: Not only can this jeopardize your case, but it’s also illegal in many jurisdictions. Stay right where you’re at until the police say it’s okay to leave.
Never argue with the other party: This can lead to a physical altercation or even worse. Stay calm and wait for law enforcement to arrive.
Never negotiate with the other driver: This can also undermine your case. Avoid giving in to this temptation, even if the other person offers you cash. It’s impossible to know the extent of your injuries or the amount of damage to your car until doctors and auto technicians have had their say.
Never assume: Assuming anything can also lead to negative consequences. You may believe that your accident is an open-and-shut case, only to find out later that extenuating circumstances played a role in the events.

What you should do after a car accident instead

Avoiding these five mistakes doesn’t mean you have to sit by passively while emergency responders arrive. Here are five things that can help both your case and your overall wellbeing:

Make sure you’re OK: Your health always comes first. Take note of any unusual symptoms you notice and report these to healthcare professionals as soon as possible.
Contact friends, family members, and other key people in your life: This is important for both personal and professional reasons. The last thing you need right now is to risk problems with your employer, business contacts, or significant others.
Stay calm: Strong emotions are natural after a car wreck. But getting carried away with anger or fear will only make the situation worse. If your condition permits, you should take a few deep breaths and try to relax. Remember, avoid confrontations with the other driver.
Document everything: A smartphone or another mobile device can be a lifesaver during a car wreck. You can use it to take pictures, record videos, make notes about the accident and, of course, contact police and EMTs.
Keep your records of the accident safe: Storing the data about the wreck in a cloud account or other information backup system is always a good idea, in case your mobile device ends up damaged, lost, or stolen.

When it’s time to contact an attorney

Getting in touch with a qualified law firm should be on the to-do list of every auto accident victim. Here’s why:

To know where you stand legally: It’s impossible to size up your options after an accident unless you first know what they are. This is where a skilled attorney can be worth their weight in gold to you.
To send a strong message to the other side: The “other side” includes insurance companies, since they’re often concerned more about their profit margins than about doing what’s right for accident victims.
To feel better about yourself: All too often, accident victims feel like they have no control over their circumstances. Talking to an attorney is a great way to turn that negative situation around, giving you a refreshing sense of empowerment.

Contact us today

Our New York City personal injury lawyers have recovered more than $18 billion for their clients, making us one of the top personal injury law firms in the country. Get in touch with us today to find out more. We’re available 24/7 for your convenience.