Why You Should Never Say I’m Sorry After a Car Accident
Being involved in a car accident can be a stressful and difficult situation. Regardless of whose fault you believe the accident is, there are a few things you should never do. One of the most important is that you never say the phrase, “I’m sorry.”
While you may think this is just a nice way to express your regret for the situation – no matter if you are to blame or not – it can be misconstrued and used against you down the road. The fact is, simply saying “I’m sorry” will make you look guilty and can actually be taken as an admission of guilt, which is something that can be used against you in court. Keep in mind, just saying the words I’m sorry may not be the only way that you admit your guilt for the accident.
Other Ways You May Give the Appearance of Guilt After a Car Accident
There are a number of other ways that you may unintentionally give the appearance of guilt, especially when you write something down. When you are exchanging your information with the other person involved in the car accident, you need to be careful about how you identify who you are. If you pass over your name and number on a piece of paper, make sure you don’t include information such as, “Bill, the guy who hit you on November 4th.”
This can be used against you and ruin your chance to file a lawsuit down the road. It may even provide all the proof the other party needs to sue you for damages and injuries.
The Law Related to Apologies After a Car Accident
To be clear, and to make sure you fully understand, saying you are sorry or some other type of apology at the scene of any car accident isn’t going to mean that a judge will automatically believe that you are at fault. Also, in the state of Florida, there is no explicit legislation that incriminates a party based on who said the words, “I’m sorry,” at the crash scene. Even though stating an apology verbally will not automatically be considered evidence, or an official admission of your guilt, it still may make your car accident case much more difficult than it has to be.
Why You Should Hire a Car Accident Attorney
If you are involved in a car accident, you may be entitled to receive monetary compensation if the accident was someone else’s fault. However, you have to protect yourself and your right to recover these monetary damages. One of the best ways you can do this is by hiring a car accident attorney. They will be able to review the facts of your case, and let you know the steps you should, and should not, take to ensure you protect your rights.
While there are some people who want to move forward without the help of an attorney, this isn’t always a good course of action. The law is complicated and without legal representation it can be impossible to prove your case and recover the damages that you deserve.
If you find that you need the services of a car accident attorney in Florida, after you are injured by the fault of someone else, then call the team of attorneys at Leifer & Ramirez by calling (561) 440-8531.
Additional Reading
The Three Leading Causes of Trucking Accidents
Avoiding a Car Accident with More Vehicles on the Road Every Year