Car accidents are caused by various reasons including brake failure, other cars, speeding, humans, animals, drunkenness, inanimate objects, etc. We hear of car accidents every day of our lives and hope we don’t get into one. Car accidents can be very frightening and can cause great damages to cars, humans, and others involved. But when they happen, there are certain things we are not supposed to say. Below are three things we shouldn’t say after a car accident.
It’s my fault
When an accident happens, never used the sentence “it’s my fault. This is because you might not have a clear picture of the accident and then taking the blame for it can put you in serious trouble with the authority. You may falsely be admitting to someone’s fault without knowing it. Do not admit the accident was solely your fault because aside from being in trouble with the authorities, you might end up been depressed or feeling guiltily for the accident which can affect your mental health. Check immediately on the well-being of the involved parties of the accident if you can do so but never accept it’s your fault.
I’m fine
After an accident happens, aside from physical injuries, there might be internal injuries that may appear days or weeks after the accident. When involved in an accident, never say “you’re fine”, “you’re okay”, “you’re not hurt”. Make sure you get checked properly by the medical team and also run some tests before you declare yourself as “okay”.
I’ll settle the bill
Immediately after an accident, never say you will settle the bill or pay for damages involved.
Make sure you have the facts right and every detail concerning the accident. Ask for insurance covering the damaged vehicles. Consult with an attorney before you try to pay for an extra cost concerning the damages.
More Tips: What Not To Do After A Car Accident
After a car accident, it’s important to take certain steps to ensure your safety and protect your legal rights. Here are some things you should NOT do after a car accident:
- Do not leave the scene: If you’re involved in an accident, you must stop and exchange information with the other driver. Leaving the scene of an accident can result in criminal charges.
- Do not admit fault: Avoid apologizing or saying anything that could be interpreted as an admission of fault. Even if you think you caused the accident, it’s best to avoid making any statements until you have spoken with an attorney.
- Do not sign anything without reading it: Be careful about signing any documents or accepting a settlement offer without first consulting an attorney. Signing a document could waive your right to seek additional compensation later.
- Do not move injured individuals: If someone is injured, do not move them unless they are in immediate danger. Moving an injured person could make their injuries worse.
- Do not forget to call the police: Even if the accident seems minor, it’s important to call the police to document the incident. A police report can provide important evidence if you need to file an insurance claim or lawsuit later.
- Do not delay seeking medical attention: Even if you don’t feel injured immediately after the accident, it’s important to seek medical attention as soon as possible. Delaying medical treatment could make your injuries worse, and it could also weaken your legal case if you decide to pursue a claim.
By avoiding these common mistakes, you can help protect your safety and legal rights after a car accident.
Conclusion
Accidents are unplanned for and they can be difficult to manage when it happens especially in severe cases. After an accident, it is important you know the right things to say and not to say so it won’t be used against you especially when a court case is involved. Don’t blame yourself for the accident, make sure you are medically fit and don’t try to explain how the accident happens, be sure you get enough details about the accident before admitting anything and don’t say you’ll settle the bill invoking damages.
CONTACT HERRMAN & HERRMAN IF YOU HAVE BEEN INJURED IN ANY OF THE FOLLOWING TYPES OF ACCIDENTS:
We can help you if you have been harmed by the following:
- Car accidents – Our lawyers have extensive experience handling car accident cases. We will work to identify the party or parties at fault for the crash and build a case to demonstrate persuasively how the parties caused the accident and your injuries. We will seek fair and full compensation through a negotiated settlement or at trial if necessary.
- Truck accidents – Thousands of large commercial trucks travel the roads of Texas every single day. Unfortunately, careless truck drivers and trucking companies disregarding safety put innocent people at risk of serious injuries. If you’ve been injured in a truck accident, let our experienced Texas personal injury lawyers stand up to the trucking companies and insurers on your behalf.
- Motorcycle accidents – Motorcycle riders often suffer grievous injuries in crashes caused by other motorists. Too many motorcycle accidents in Corpus Christi are caused by careless drivers who don’t look for motorcycle riders or violate their right of way. Our personal injury lawyers will work to cut through the bias and stigma against motorcycle riders. Our goal is to seek the financial compensation that you’ll need to recover from a serious motorcycle accident and injuries such as bone fractures, road rash, or traumatic brain injury.
- Product liability – Product manufacturers have a legal obligation to make products that are safe for their intended uses and to warn consumers of any risks that may come with the product. When products have design or manufacturing defects or undisclosed dangers, the product manufacturer may be legally responsible for injuries suffered by consumers. Our attorneys can help you evaluate whether you have a valid product liability claim.
- Brain injury – Brain injuries can leave accident victims with disabilities that leave them unable to work or perform many tasks of daily living. Seeking compensation for a brain injury in an accident often proves incredibly complex. The brain injury survivor may seek compensation for anticipated future medical care and the medical care already provided. Our personal injury lawyers can help you through the difficult recovery process following a brain injury and will fight to make sure you have the resources you need.
- Spinal injury – Spinal cord injuries could cost millions of dollars of care over the course of the victim’s lifetime, especially when those injuries result in partial or complete paralysis, such as paraplegia or quadriplegia. If you or your loved one has suffered a spinal cord injury, you deserve compassionate legal representation. Our attorney can help you determine whether you may be entitled to claim compensation for your injury and expenses related to living with the disability, such as making a home more accessible.
- Wrongful death – If you have lost a loved one due to the negligent or reckless actions of another party, your family deserves to seek accountability and compensation from those at fault for the wrongful death. Our caring and dedicated attorneys can help guide you and your family through this difficult and painful time and seek justice for your loved one.
ABOUT HERRMAN & HERRMAN PERSONAL INJURY LAWYERS
With over 100 years of combined experience among the legal team of Herrman & Herrman, P.L.L.C., our Texas personal injury attorneys have successfully resolved over 20,000 cases. When representing injured Texas residents, we fight for justice against wrongdoing and aggressively pursue the best resolution to complex personal injury claims.
If you or a loved one was injured, please get in touch with us for a free initial consultation and case evaluation. Herrman & Herrman, P.L.L.C., is a locally based law firm that holds negligent individuals and companies accountable for their wrongdoing. We are not a personal injury mill that advertises nationwide. We provide individualized advocacy in attending to all aspects of claims that involve. Our firm has offices in the following locations: Corpus Christi, Corpus Christi South Side, Dallas, Brownsville, McAllen, San Antonio, Austin, Houston, and Ft. Worth, TX.
We remain by our client’s side, handling all aspects of their claims and attending to all legal, medical, and financial needs. That dedication combines experience, legal knowledge, and insight from a former insurance adjuster and several former insurance defense attorneys. Whether our clients suffer from physical pain from an accident or the emotional grief of death, we treat clients with compassion. We put their mind at ease during difficult times by answering their questions concerning the length of their claim, medical bills, financial compensation, and their overall need for a lawyer.
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