The experience of being involved in an accident can be frustrating and overwhelming, particularly if you sustained any injuries. In the midst of this chaos, it might feel entirely natural to apologize to the other driver involved, even if it was clearly not your fault. While this might seem like a nice gesture during a difficult time, it could cause significant harm to your personal injury case, which could cost you the compensation you deserve.
Here are some reasons why you should refrain from apologizing in the aftermath of a car accident:
- It can be perceived as an admission of fault: When you apologize to the other driver involved or to the law enforcement officer who is writing up the police report, you are providing a record of that apology. Once that report lands in the hands of the insurance company of the at-fault party, they will use it against you as evidence, even if you were not truly to blame for the accident.
- It might be used as proof of culpability: Your apology might not be enough to completely deny you of compensation, but it can be enough to reduce your compensation significantly. If you offered an apology with an explanation, stating that you did not see the other driver, this can make things even worse for you.
- You do not really know all of the facts yet: Even if you believe you are to blame for the accident, you should hold off on apologizing since you do not have all the facts yet. Remember, law enforcement, insurance adjusters, and your personal injury attorney are all going to look into the details of what happened and ultimately determine who is at fault, so there is no need to jump to conclusions on your own.
- Focus on what is important: It might seem like apologizing is an act of kindness, but your apology will not be helping anyone. If you really want to be helpful, check to make sure if everyone is okay and call for emergency medical assistance, if necessary.
- Speaking to the insurance company: Insurance companies are not looking out for you. Their goal is to either not pay you at all or to pay as little as possible. To accomplish this, they might try to coax an apology out of you while speaking on the phone. Do not let them lure you into apologizing.
Experienced and Skilled Personal Injury Attorneys in Corpus Christi
If you were injured in an accident caused by another party’s negligence, you need the assistance of a qualified and compassionate personal injury attorney. At Sico Hoelscher Harris & Brough LLP, our team is uniquely qualified to take on even the most challenging cases. With our strong history of successful results, you can trust your case will be in good hands with us.
Contact our office today at (877) 631-9965 to schedule a consultation.