There are several important things you should do after a car accident, including calling the police and getting emergency medical help if necessary. There are also some actions to avoid taking, including leaving the scene of the accident before the police arrive and admitting fault.
So, why is admitting fault such a big mistake after a crash? Simply put, one statement of guilt could cost you a lot of money, keeping you from getting the financial help you may be entitled to. Take a look at why that is.
What If The Car Accident Wasn’t Your Fault?
Maybe you assumed you were at fault since you looked down or didn’t use your turn signal. But just because you made a mistake while driving does not mean you caused the accident. After all, you’ve likely made similar mistakes before and did not end up in a crash, so it’s possible these errors had nothing to do with the accident.
You might admit fault, only to find out later that the other driver was texting or impaired while driving. If you already stated it was your fault, this could keep a full investigation of the crash from occurring, causing the wrong person to be held liable. This is why it’s best to wait for the investigation to be done, so you have all the facts.
Did You Know You’re Not Required To Admit Fault?
Even if you are at fault, you are not required to admit to this, so there’s no reason to do so. It won’t benefit you anyway, and it won’t even necessarily close the case and get the other driver their compensation any faster.
As such, avoid saying you are sorry at the accident scene, as this could be taken as a sign of your guilt. You should also avoid writing on the police report that you caused the crash or that you did not see the other driver.
Do You Want To Miss Out On The Chance To Get Compensation?
You might think the accident was your fault at the scene, but you were just in a traumatic situation. As a result, your emotions may keep you from thinking rationally, leading you to assume you were at fault when you might not have been.
It’s possible that you’ll change your perspective after a few weeks of thinking about the crash and talking to a lawyer. You could realize you were not at fault and that you want to pursue compensation against the other driver to get money for your medical bills, car repairs, and lost wages. But if you already admitted fault, your claim could be hard to prove. This is why you should call our Santa Fe law office at 505-983-3272 for legal advice before pursuing a claim.
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