In the aftermath of a car crash, your adrenaline will likely run high. This can make your heart race and loosen your lips – which, in turn, can seriously hurt your chances of succeeding in a car accident claim. While talking is a common coping mechanism during times of stress, saying the wrong thing to the wrong person after a crash can have lasting implications. The following are some things that the Virginia Beach car accident lawyers at our firm recommend you never say if you have been involved in a car accident.
“I’m Sorry”
It may sound innocuous enough, but saying you are sorry can be interpreted as an admission of liability (either partly or entirely). While remedial measures are generally not admissible in a court of law, in subsequently dealing with insurance or in a lawsuit, the other driver may try to use your apology to argue that you should bear part of the blame for the accident and, therefore, be financially responsible for the injuries and losses you and the other driver sustained.
“I’m Not Hurt”
The moments after a car crash are not the time to play tough. Unless the crash is nothing more than a mere fender-bender, you may have suffered serious injuries as a result of the collision that you do not realize right away.
The effects of adrenaline can mask any pain or discomfort you may feel. You may not even know that you are injured until the adrenaline wears off several hours or even days after the wreck. By then, your injuries may have worsened considerably. This is why it is imperative to either be evaluated at the crash scene by emergency medical personnel, treated at a local emergency room, or by your physician as soon as possible following the crash. Failure to do so can limit the compensation you might otherwise receive.
“Let’s Settle This Without Involving the Insurance Companies”
You may be justifiably concerned about your insurance rates following a crash, but hastily settling your car accident claims can be even more disastrous for you. When you settle a legal claim for an accident without adequately taking stock of your potential expenses and losses (both past and future), you may find yourself without enough resources to adequately address your medical bills, lost wages, and other expenses. Once you settle your case – regardless of the dollar amount you settle – you are generally prohibited from obtaining additional compensation from the at-fault party.
Call Our Personal Injury Law Firm for Legal Assistance
A seasoned car accident attorney can calculate the financial compensation you should receive. Insurance companies that may be eager to take advantage of an unrepresented party can quickly become more reasonable when they negotiate with an attorney from Shapiro, Washburn & Sharp.
If you have been injured in an accident caused by another party, contact our office to find out what legal options you may have. The legal team at Shapiro, Washburn & Sharp has almost 40 years of legal experience advocating for injured victims and their families and will help you get the financial compensation you deserve.
Each attorney at our firm is a skilled negotiator, but each also has extensive experience in litigation should the insurance company fail to negotiate in good faith, just like the $30,000 jury award we obtained for one client who suffered a whiplash injury in a chain reaction accident.
Call our office today for a free and confidential case evaluation. Our offices are located in Virginia Beach, Portsmouth, Norfolk, Hampton, Suffolk, and Kitty Hawk, North Carolina.
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