Why Shouldn’t I Apologize After a Car Accident in Indianapolis?

Poynter & Bucheri - Indianapolis Personal Injury Attorneys

If you are involved in a car accident, there are certain steps you should take to protect your legal right to recover compensation from the driver who caused the crash.  There are also certain things that you should avoid doing that could hurt your chances of recovering full compensation for all injuries and losses. However, in the aftermath of an accident, it can be difficult to think clearly. It is easy to forget important tips for what you should and shouldn’t do after a car crash, including avoiding the urge to apologize for the accident.

Our Indianapolis car accident attorneys help accident victims take steps to protect their legal rights. Our PBAR legal team fights for accident victims and their families so that they can receive a fair and just settlement for a car accident claim. Money may not undo the terrible injuries caused by a negligent driver,but a monetary award can help compensate you for your losses.

Saying You Are Sorry Means You Are Guilty to an Insurance Company

An Insurance company looks for any reason to deny or undervalue a car accident claim. If the insurance company can shift the blame for the car crash to you, then it is not legally responsible for your injury claim. Only drivers who are responsible for causing a crash are held liable for the damages arising from the crash.  If you caused the crash, the other driver’s insurance company is not liable for your damages.

Therefore,admitting fault for a crash, even partial fault for a crash can result in a denial of your accident claim. Just by saying, “I’m sorry” can be used to claim that you were admitting fault. Why would you be sorry if you were not to blame? That is what the insurance adjuster will argue when investigating your claim. It does not matter that you were simply polite, or you meant that you were sorry the accident happened, apologizing after a car crash is usually interpreted as fault by the insurance provider.

What Should You Do If You Think You Are at Fault?

Do not admit fault and do not apologize! You need to be honest with the police officer about the events that took place immediately before the accident, but you do not need to admit fault. Until all the factors are examined and an investigation is complete, you may not know for sure if you had any fault in causing the accident.

However, once you admit fault or you apologize, you potentially damage your chance to recover compensation for an accident claim. Before you accept fault for a car accident, contact our Indianapolis car accident attorneys for a free case review. You might be entitled to partial compensation even if you were slightly responsible for causing the crash.

Call an Indianapolis Car Accident Attorney for Help

Our legal team is here to help you after you have been injured in a car accident. You do not need to go through this alone.

Call Poynter& Bucheri at 1-800-265-9881 or (317) 780-8000 to request your free consultation with an Indianapolis auto accident lawyer.