When it comes to car accident claims in Philadelphia, the main issue to tackle is who caused the accident. Before you can think about damages and the value of your accident claim, you must first determine fault for the crash. However, this is more complex than you can handle by yourself. Determining fault for a car accident involves securing strong evidence, getting statements from witnesses, providing medical records, and a lot more. If you do not have experience in these matters, you may not be able to prove fault for your accident and fail to build a strong claim. But things can be different if you have a Philadelphia car accident lawyer on your side. Your attorney will advise you against admitting fault in any way.
Avoid Polite Apologies
It’s nice to be polite; however, you should do it in a way that does not compromise your legal interests. After a crash, you could say something that can be perceived as an admission of fault. So, no matter how sorry you may be for the accident to have happened, never say sorry or say something that demonstrates a sense of humility. Whatever you may say can be perceived differently, and insurance companies can easily twist your words and use them against you.
You can always express concern for the other party involved following an accident. However, you need to pick your words carefully and never imply or admit fault. Saying less is better after a crash.
How Insurers May Use Your Actions or Words Against You
When an insurance company handles car accident claims, it does everything to minimize or deny them. After this approach, they may try to investigate or negotiate a settlement offer with you. As they handle your claim, they will take any bullet you provide them with. Even if you say sorry can give an insurer something they can hang their hats on, which could make negotiations tougher and more time-consuming. Sometimes, your statements can significantly impact your ability to recover compensation.
Ensure you don’t admit fault to anyone else, including insurance representatives, passengers, witnesses, police officers, family members, friends, and social media networks. In addition, not admitting fault is not lying. It is never a good idea to make a factual representation to police officers or an insurance claim adjuster about your claim. Otherwise, you could face severe legal consequences. The most important thing you can do for your claim is to stay as quiet as possible and let your lawyer handle most of the talks.