4 Things NOT to Do After a Car Wreck

Imagine driving home from work along your normal route. The weekend is almost here and you are looking forward to some rest and relaxation. Unfortunately, things did not turn out as expected when another driver ran a stop sign in your Lexington neighborhood and slammed into the passenger side of your car. As you gather your wits and take a few deep breaths, you might be wondering what to do, or more importantly, what not to do after the wreck.

The first moments after a car accident can be crucial, even if the accident is minor. Everything you say or do can have an effect on your case against the other driver. Even your choice of language or wording can make a difference when you are talking to the other driver, the police and the insurance company. For tips on what not to do after a car accident, read below.

Do. Not. Admit. Fault.

It is not your job to make the other driver feel better after an accident. Do not say or do anything that could cause another person to assign part of the blame on you. Do not say things like, “I should have waited longer at the stop sign,” or anything else that infers you had any responsibility for the wreck.

Do not express your opinion

Remember, you only have one perspective of what happened. Keep it to yourself and let the police write an objective report. By voicing your opinion, you could be hurting your case. Do not make any guesses regarding distance, speed or stopping time. If you have to give a statement about the facts of the accident, always use the phrase, “In my opinion…”

Do not leave the scene

Never leave the scene of an accident. If the police come and you are not there to give your statement, the other driver could tell a completely different story than what actually happened. In his or her version, you might be the one that ran the stop sign.

Do not use the word “whiplash”

Whiplash is one of the most common injuries an individual can suffer after a car wreck. Do not mention that you might have whiplash when speaking to the insurance company, yours or the other driver’s. In general, insurers view the use of this word as a red flag and may automatically assume that you are attempting to run a scam. Instead, visit a doctor and provide medical records that describe your injuries.

If you have been the victim of a negligent driver, it is as important to know what not to do after an accident as it is to know what to do. Saying the right thing can support your claim, however, saying the wrong thing can end up costing you. Speak to a Lexington car crash lawyer for information about your claim.