Many of us are taught that it is polite to apologize any time we accidentally hurt or inconvenience someone else – no matter who was to blame for the incident. But when it comes to car accidents, saying sorry can do more harm than good.
Here are a few reasons why you should never say sorry after a car accident:
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Apologizing can be viewed as admitting fault – While it is natural to say sorry after someone bumps you while walking, doing so following a car accident can be used against you. The other driver may tell an officer at the scene that you apologized, record your statement in the police report, and even write down that you are liable for the collision.
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You do not know all the facts about the crash – Even if you think you were at fault for the collision, do not jump to conclusions without gathering all the facts first. Perhaps the other driver shared negligence or even the one who caused the collision.
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You may lose your right to financial compensation – Since insurance companies aim to protect their own best interests, your apology can be used to either significantly reduce your entitled compensation or deny your claim altogether. This means you could end up not only paying for your own losses, but also the other driver’s damages.
As tempting as it may feel like saying sorry is the polite thing to do, an apology can come back to haunt you inside and outside the courtroom. Remember, instead of apologizing after a crash, ask everyone involved if they are all right and contact emergency medical services if required. While you wait for an ambulance or the police to arrive, exchange information with the other driver.
If you have recently been injured in a car accident in Texas, contact the Dallas personal injury lawyers at Mathias Raphael PLLC Accident & Injury Lawyers today at (214) 739-0100 for a free case evaluation. Get experienced and personalized legal representation immediately!