Being involved in any car accident is sure to be an unpleasant and shocking experience, even if you are not injured. While you may feel frustrated or angry following the shock of impact, it is imperative you stay in control of your situation and watch what you say during this time. Making a successful car accident claim can be difficult, especially if the involved insurance companies are in disagreement regarding who is at fault. For this reason, it is crucial you avoid making certain statements that can hurt your claim and make it considerably harder to recover the compensation you deserve.

Avoid making any of the following statements:

• “I’m sorry”: May people instinctually apologize after even the most innocent acts, such as bumping into someone while crossing the street or dropping something someone is handing them. Avoid the natural urge to offer any sort of apology after a collision, even if you think you were at fault. Do not say anything that could potentially be misconstrued as an acceptance of blame.
• “I was distracted”: Similar to “I’m sorry,” admitting that you were distracted at the time of the accident is, in the eyes of insurance companies, the same thing as admitting fault. You don’t know for sure whether being distracted is what caused your accident. You don’t owe anyone an explanation – all you have to say is “I don’t know” or consult your attorney.
• “I think that”: Due to the traumatic nature of a collision and the dazed state people can experience during its aftermath, it can be difficult to remember exact details leading up to and immediately after a collision. While it is okay not to know, do not attempt to guess or lie to an insurance adjuster by providing an indefinite statement. Any ambiguity or uncertainty in your statements will provide the insurance companies with an opportunity to delay or deny your claim.
• “I’m fine”: Similar to how people instinctively apologize, many people tend to automatically say “I’m fine” or “I’m okay” after being asked how they are doing. This can be a huge mistake, since insurance companies can interpret this to mean that you are uninjured and deny coverage for your medical expenses. Since some injuries can have symptoms that may not surface for days or even weeks after a collision, it is best to simply stay silent or say that you wish to seek medical attention.
• “I accept”: If you were injured in a car accident caused by another driver, the driver’s insurance company may approach you in the coming days with a settlement offer. Though it may seem tempting to accept and put your accident behind you, in nearly all cases the initial settlement is the bare minimum of what your claim is worth. Insurance companies want to settle claims as fast as possible while spending the least amount of money. Don’t accept the first settlement.

One of the many benefits of having an experienced personal injury attorney to represent you after a car accident is that your attorney will handle all communication with the insurance company and other parties. You don’t have to spend any time worrying about whether you said the wrong thing as long as a trusted law firm is working on your case.

Get Clawson & Clawson LLP on Your Side

If you have been injured in a traffic accident, you need to retain the services of a knowledgeable attorney who can fight for full compensation on your behalf. At Clawson & Clawson LLP, our Colorado Springs personal injury lawyers have more than 120 years of combined legal experience and can provide the aggressive advocacy you need to maximize your financial recovery.

With millions recovered, you can count on us to help you cover the costs of your past, present, and future medical bills, lost wages, car repairs, and more. We can hold negligent drivers accountable while protecting you from insurance companies that may wish to undermine your claim.

Fill out our form online or call our attorneys today at (719) 602-5888 to speak with us directly. We can help you understand who should be held liable for your damages and can get to work on your claim.