Should You Ever Apologize After an Accident?

For many people, it’s normal to say “sorry” to express sympathy, but in certain circumstances apologizing can carry far more weight. If you apologize after a car accident, slip and fall accident, or another type of incident, it could be interpreted as an admission of guilt and could be used against you in court. As a rule in personal injury cases, saying you’re sorry is never a good idea.

Saying Sorry Could Make You Appear Guilty

Personal injury cases are all about proving fault. Whether you were involved in an automobile accident or a premises liability case, the insurance companies and legal representatives of either party are working to prove the fault of the other person. So, if you apologize, the other person involved in the accident could take your expression of regret as an admission of guilt.

To avoid this, try focusing on seeking medical attention for yourself and anyone else involved. Rather than saying sorry, instead ask if everyone is okay and unharmed.

An Insurance Provider Could Use Your Apology as Evidence of Culpability

The insurance company for the other people involved in your accident might use your apology to lay some, or all, of the blame on you. They might try to move blame off the shoulders of their own policyholders by claiming that your apology was an admission of culpability.

Even if You Think it Was Your Fault, You Could Be Wrong

Sometimes people who believe they were at fault may apologize for the sake of honesty, but it is important to remember that you can’t know for sure whether or not you were at fault. There are plenty of factors at play in personal injury cases, and you may not be at fault, even if you think you were.

Sometimes faulty products might be to blame, or hazardous weather or even the other person involved. Regardless of any misplaced guilty feelings, remember that you don’t have all the facts before jumping to conclusions.

Contact the Law Offices of Charles R. Gueli to schedule a free consultation with our personal injury attorney.