Car accidents are stressful, and in the heat of the moment, you may feel inclined to apologize or take responsibility for what happened. However, doing so can have serious consequences. Admitting fault may increase your percentage of blame, even if you were not entirely responsible for the crash. Before you say anything that could hurt your case, here’s why you shouldn’t admit fault after a car accident.
You May Not Be Able to Get the Compensation You Deserve
You may not be able to recover the compensation you deserve if you admit fault in a car accident. Some damages you are entitled to include medical bills, car repairs, and time taken off work when recovering.
Sometimes, it’s difficult to estimate the value of these damages. That means you shouldn’t reduce your recovery potential by admitting fault in the auto accident. Even if you were partially at fault for the accident, you are still entitled to compensation.
That said, every state has its set of guidelines on how to assign and divide fault in an accident. For instance, in states that have adopted the comparative negligence rule, the law allows the fault to be split between the two parties, meaning you can still recover damages even if you were partially responsible for the accident.
Insurance Companies Might Use It Against You
Insurance companies are all about business, meaning they don’t always have your best interest at heart. If you admit guilt or even state it casually, your insurance company or the other driver’s insurer may use your statement as a basis for decreasing or even voiding your claim.
Instead of focusing on the issue of responsibility, it is better to focus on the facts. When asked about the accident, only give information regarding the time and location of the accident and basic information about the cars and people involved.
Remember, it’s the insurance adjusters and investigators who are supposed to determine the cause of the accident, not you.
You Are Not Legally Required to Admit Fault
You are not legally required to admit fault, even if you’re clearly responsible for the accident. Sometimes, people believe that if they cause an accident, admitting fault will help speed up the process, allowing them to move on.
But, by admitting fault, your insurance company will have to pay for the damages, and you may be liable for the accident on your record, which will increase your insurance rates. Here are some things you shouldn’t say when reporting an accident to the other party, the police, or the insurance company:
- Sorry.
- It was my fault.
- I apologize.
- I didn’t see the other driver.
You Might Not Have All the Facts
In the heat of the accident, you will likely feel guilty and think you are at fault, but this is not always the case. There could be other possible causes that might not have even crossed your mind.
For instance, the other driver might have been negligent in one way or the other. Other factors, such as poor road conditions or mechanical problems with vehicles, may also have caused the accident.
Besides that, other people might have seen something that you did not, giving a different view of the events. You should not admit guilt too easily, especially if you are not sure you are guilty of everything you are accused of. It is always safer to wait for the authorities or the insurance companies to look into the matter before making any comments.
The Statement You Make to the Police Can Be Used Against You
The statements you make to the police will be put in a police report. It can be used by insurance companies in the case of an accident. If you admit fault, it will be very difficult to get the damages you may be entitled to.
Furthermore, if the other party was injured, admitting fault may make you liable for a personal injury lawsuit, and the lawyers who will be investigating the accident will have your statements from the police report.
You should not guess or make assumptions when answering the police officer’s questions. Rather, you should only state the facts and not say anything that can be perceived as an admission of guilt in a car accident case.
Stay Silent to Protect Your Rights
It is wise to stay quiet and not accept fault after an accident. Let professionals determine the cause of the accident as you collect contact information and wait for assistance. It is important to know that admission of fault can increase your percentage of blame, so choose your words carefully to protect your rights.