Sometimes, you might not even know that certain statements can affect personal injury claims you make in the future related to the accident. If you want to be as well-informed as possible in case you end up in a car accident, here are a few of the many words you should avoid saying. 

‘I’m Sorry’

Any personal injury lawyer will tell you that ‘I’m sorry’ is one of the worst things you can say at the scene of an accident due to the implied admittance of guilt. You might be saying you’re sorry as a way to offer comfort to other people involved in the accident, but witnesses, the other drivers, and any passengers might assume that these two words mean that you were responsible. 

Even if you think you were responsible, evidence can sometimes determine that’s not the case. Your personal injury lawsuit for compensation might be much stronger if you don’t apologize at the scene of your accident. 

‘I Don’t Need Medical Attention’

Modern vehicle safety features can go a long way toward preventing serious injuries, but they can’t always prevent every injury. Even if you feel okay after a car accident, refrain from telling anyone you don’t need medical attention. Instead, get checked out by medical personnel at the scene if available, and visit your local hospital’s emergency department. 

You might feel okay, but that doesn’t mean you haven’t sustained serious injuries. Adrenaline has been known to distract people from feeling pain. Once you’re no longer distracted at an accident scene, you might start to feel some of your injuries. 

Not only does saying no to medical attention mean you can’t learn the extent of your injuries, but you miss out on an opportunity to start a paper trial. Medical documents can often be pivotal for your chosen personal injury lawyer to calculate costs for an appropriate settlement. 

‘I’ll Handle This On My Own’

As tempting as it can be to navigate the legal system on your own to avoid paying legal fees, most legal experts don’t recommend it. You might risk being paid less than what your accident cost and experience significant stress while trying to understand all the legal terminology involved in the average legal case. 

Most highly-regarded personal injury lawyers operate on a no-win, no-fee basis. Known as contingency fees, you can have expert help throughout legal proceedings and only have to pay their fees when you successfully settle. 

Saying Anything On Social Media

As tempting as it can be to share your gnarly injury photos with friends and family on social media platforms, many lawyers advise against talking about your accident online before a personal injury case reaches a successful conclusion. There are never any guarantees that the other parties involved in your accident don’t use what you post against you. 

It’s hard to believe that anything you say after a car accident can be used against you, but it can be. After being involved in a collision that led to damages, keep communication to a minimum and consult an experienced personal injury lawyer for advice.