If You Make THESE Statements After Your Florida Car Accident, You Could Hurt Your Claim

After getting injured in a Florida car accident because of another party’s negligence, you have the right to file a personal injury claim and recover compensation from the negligent party. However, even though you have the right to recover compensation, the truth is that, after a Florida car accident, the insurance company will do everything it can to ensure it pays you less than you deserve or get out of paying you altogether. Therefore, it is vital that you remain cautious of the things you do after a Florida car accident. In such situations, consulting a car accident lawyer in Orlando is essential to protect your interests and navigate the complexities of your claim. After a car accident, it is crucial that you avoid giving the at-fault party’s insurance company something it can use against you. Sometimes, even a single statement made after a car accident can adversely affect a car accident claim.

The following are some of the statements you need to avoid making after a Florida car accident.

Statements That Show or Imply an Admission of Guilt

First of all, you should avoid admitting guilt after a Florida car accident. There are many ways of admitting guilt after a car accident, and many times, accident victims admit guilt without even realizing they are admitting guilt. For example, after a Florida car accident, do not say something like, “I did not see him/her.” If you make such a statement, the insurance company may claim that you are responsible for the accident. Such a statement implies fault. Other statements that imply fault include the following;

• I apologize
• I am sorry

Apologizing is natural, and many people are conditioned to apologize after something happens, even if it is not their fault. Unfortunately, to insurance companies, if you apologize after an accident, it means you are at fault. What you may think is a kind gesture may be seen as an admission of guilt by the at-fault party and their insurance company.

Before you admit guilt after an accident, you need to remember that you may be incorrect about what happened. Even if you believe, for example, that you taking your eyes off the road for some seconds caused your accident, remember that you may not know what the other driver, for instance, did that resulted in the accident happening. For example, the other driver could have been drunk.

Guesses and Lies

If you have to make a statement, ensure that you keep your statement factual and avoid speculating or telling lies. For instance, if asked about the speed you were traveling at before your accident happened, simply say you are not sure if you cannot remember the exact speed you were traveling at. The at-fault party may tie you to your statement, and if it is later discovered that the information you provided was inaccurate, your claim may suffer.

In relation to guesses and lies, you need to avoid sharing your opinion about the accident. This includes avoiding blaming the other party. It would be best if you allowed insurance adjusters to carry out their investigations and reach their own conclusions.

Making Careful Statements About Your Health

You need to avoid making certain statements about your health after a Florida car accident. For example, you need to avoid saying “I feel okay/fine” at an accident scene. Remember, the adrenaline from an accident can make you feel as if you are not injured, even when you are injured. If you say you feel okay/fine at an accident scene, the other party and their insurance company may use your statement against you after you file your claim. For example, they may argue that your injuries are not related to the accident. Also, if the insurance company contacts you after your accident, avoid saying, “I feel okay/fine” when asked how you are feeling. It is usually best to say that you are undergoing treatment and then let your attorney accurately account for your health status based on your medical records.

Avoid Giving the Insurance Company a Recorded Statement

Apart from avoiding making the above-discussed statements, it is vital that you avoid giving the at-fault party’s insurance company a recorded statement. If an insurance adjuster asks you to give a recorded statement, politely decline.

Suppose you agree to give a recorded statement, and the insurance company compares your statement to your other statements, such as the statement you gave to the police after your accident. In such a case, if the insurance company finds even a small inconsistency, your claim could suffer.

Contact a Naples Car Accident Attorney

After getting into a car accident, it is vital that you reach out to an experienced attorney as soon as you can. An attorney can help you avoid making statements that can hurt your claim and recover the compensation you deserve from the at-fault party. In case of a Florida car accident, do not hesitate to contact our Naples car accident attorneys at The Law Offices of Marc L. Shapiro.