Why You Shouldn’t Say Sorry After a Car Accident

Even if you regret the fact that an accident has happened, you should never say the word, “sorry,” after a car crash because it could be taken the wrong way. More specifically, apologizing after a car accident could be mistaken for an admission of guilt, especially amongst insurance companies. Instead of saying sorry, express your concern in other ways, such as asking everyone involved in the accident whether they are alright. You can also call for help and facilitate the exchange of insurance information but avoid expressing opinions about the accident or talking about who is at fault.

After a car accident, you may not be thinking clearly, so it’s okay to err on the side of saying too little. Give a basic report of the accident to police officers and your insurance company but avoid making an official statement before you calm down, seek medical treatment, and talk to an attorney. Remember, you do not have to talk to the other driver’s insurance company by yourself. If you don’t want to talk, ask the representative to schedule an interview with your attorney or via your own insurance company.

What’s an Example of an Apology Gone Wrong?

Let’s say Suzy is driving and runs into another car. Because the accident is a stressful, unpleasant experience, Suzy might say something like: “I’m so sorry. I didn’t see you there.” Even if Jill, the driver of the other car, understands why Suzy is apologizing, when Jill tells her insurance company about the accident, she might mention Suzy’s apology. Then, the insurance company could take Suzy’s statement out of context. The insurance company will say Suzy admitted fault for the accident because she didn’t see Jill, even though Jill ran a red light and that’s why Suzy didn’t see her.

Because Suzy apologized, Jill’s insurance company may leave her with accident-related expenses she does not deserve.

What If I Am At Fault for the Accident?

Even if you feel like you are at fault for the accident, you should not apologize. You may feel like you caused an accident by rolling through a stop sign or committing a minor traffic infraction, but the other driver could be under the influence of drugs or alcohol. Put more simply, you might be wrong. You should never apologize for the accident because the other driver might be partially or entirely at fault.

Can I Still Be Nice?

Yes! You should always be friendly and cordial to everyone you interact with after a car accident. Try to keep your emotions under control and don’t yell or scream at anyone. All of the people who witnessed your crash could become helpful if you need to file a personal injury lawsuit, and if you made a good impression on them, personally, they may be more willing to help.

You can be as nice as you want after an accident as long as you watch what you say, particularly to the other driver, insurance companies, and police officers. Stick to the facts and try not to speculate. Remember, the best thing you can do for everyone is gather information, seek medical treatment if you need it, and move on with your life.

If you need help moving forward after a car accident with serious injuries, our car accident attorneys at Foley Griffin are here to help. We can talk to insurance companies on your behalf, help you build your case, and recover valuable compensation on your behalf.