Four Things Not To Say To The Insurer After A Car Accident
If you have been involved in a car accident, whether it was your fault or not, there are certain things you do not want to say to the insurer because it can hurt your case. This is especially true if the case is not cut and dry, meaning that it has yet to be determined who is truly at fault for the accident. Most of these types of cases will be taken to court, so you want to keep your side of the case strong. Here are four things you should not say to the insurer after the accident:
"I Have Whiplash"
Mentioning that you have whiplash sends up red flags for the insurer, because many people have claimed to have whiplash just so they can get more out of the compensation they receive. This is going to lead the insurer to pursue fighting your claims even harder. Instead, leave these statements to be made by your doctor. Right after the accident, you should go to your doctor for a thorough exam. Your doctor will determine whether or not you have any injuries resulting from the accident. They will write these facts down and you can use this documentation to your advantage to help prove injuries.
"I'm Fine"
Even if you feel fine after the car accident, you should never make the claim that you are fine, not even to the opposite driver involved in the case. This is because once you mention this, it can be used against you if any injuries come up in the future. Again, you should let all claims about your health be left to your doctor.
"I'm Sorry"
Never mention that you are sorry for the accident, especially if the accident may have only been partially your fault. This is because once you mention that you are sorry, it proves admission of guilt, which will be held against you. This can lead to you not receiving any compensation at all for any of the damages that may have actually been caused by the opposite driver. Instead, you will be responsible for all damages yourself.
"Yes, I Will Give a Recorded Statement"
When you are talking with the insurer, they may ask that you provide a recorded statement. The reason they do this is because they want to use your recorded statement to catch anything that may be held against you to make the opposite driver's case stronger. Always deny this, since you can never be forced into giving a recorded statement.
When you know what four things not to say, you can be sure that your case stays strong and nothing you say can be held against you. For further help, you should hire a car accident lawyer who will have the experience and knowledge of what should and should not be said. Your lawyer will be able to talk to the insurer for you so that you are able to completely avoid making any of these comments.
Speak to legal professionals like Allison & Rickards, Attorneys at Law, LLC for more information.