Why You Should Avoid Admitting Fault After a Car Accident

Getting into a car accident can be a chaotic and emotionally overwhelming experience. During such moments, it can be easy to mindlessly and impulsively say things such as “I’m sorry.” However, admitting fault after a car accident, even if you were truly at fault, can have serious repercussions. In this article, we will discuss some key reasons why you should avoid admitting fault and what you should do instead. 

You Will Likely Be Emotionally Overwhelmed

Right after an accident, your emotions will likely be running high, with the effects of adrenaline in full force. You may start feeling scared, disoriented, or even guilty, particularly if you suspect you have made a mistake that may have contributed to the accident. However, emotional responses can cloud judgment and rational thinking, causing you to say things you don’t fully understand or mean. Therefore, it is important to do your best to calm down before making any statements or admitting fault.

Determining Fault Requires Complex Investigation

It is important to keep in mind that determining fault in car accidents is not always clear-cut or straightforward. Even in some cases in which fault is seemingly obvious, determining fault requires a detailed investigation, often requiring the examination of vehicle damage, road conditions, witness statements, and traffic laws. By refraining from admitting fault, you are keeping the door open for a more accurate assessment of the accident and, therefore, the compensation you can recover.

Admitting Fault Can Impact Your Insurance Claim

Insurance claims after car accidents are often complex and involve assessing damages and liability. When you admit fault, it can weaken your position with your insurance company. Insurance companies are notorious for denying and devaluing claims therefore an admission of guilt can further impact your payout. Therefore, the San Antonio auto accident attorneys at The Aguirre Law Firm recommend that you refrain from speaking with an insurance adjuster on your own.

Admitting Fault Can Be Used Against You in Court

If your car accident leads to a lawsuit in court, remember that anything you say can be used against you. Even admitting fault informally can be brought up in court as an admission of guilt. In court, each party’s attorneys may scrutinize every detail of the accident. Therefore, if you admitted fault at any point, the opposing counsel could use this admission to argue that you were responsible for the accident.

Negligence Laws

Negligence laws vary from state to state and, therefore, can impact your liability and compensation after an accident. In “comparative negligence” states, each party’s degree of fault affects the amount of compensation they receive. For example, if you were found to be 30% at fault, your compensation would be reduced by 30%. On the other hand, if you are in a “contributory negligence” state, you might be barred from recovering any compensation at all even if you are partially at fault for the accident. Given the nuances of laws in every state, it is best to avoid speaking about fault until legal and insurance professionals can review the situation.