In this video, we’ll discuss what you should or should not do or say after a car accident. My name is Matt Eason. I’ve been practicing personal injury law for 25 years, and clients regularly come to my office concerned about whether they’ve said the wrong thing in a car accident and wish they had a better idea of what to do or not do right after a car accident.
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First and foremost, after a car accident, it’s about being a human being. Make sure you and the other people involved in the accident are okay. If someone needs medical attention, make sure they get it. Don’t worry about liability. Don’t worry about who’s saying what. Get help to those who need help. Open-ended questions such as, “Are you okay? Is there something I can do to help you? Do you need me to call an ambulance?” Those are legitimate, proper questions.
The big question, and the real big issue, is, what do you say about liability or fault after an accident? Do you admit fault or argue with the other person about fault? The short answer is no to both. Amid an accident scene, everybody’s understanding is a bit discombobulated. You’re a bit overwhelmed by what just happened. Don’t rush out to the middle of an intersection and say, “I’m sorry, I’m sorry, I’m at fault.” You don’t know if you were 100% fall. The other person may be at fault or doing something wrong simultaneously and by the same token. Maybe you actually were in the right, and it’s just your guilt-talking.
The bigger question people are asking is, what do you say about fault or liability? Do you apologize? Should you expect the other person to admit fault or apologize? There’s nothing wrong with taking responsibility for an accident down the road if it was your fault. The other side should take responsibility as well if they were at fault. However, taking responsibility for inaction or admitting or getting them to admit fault isn’t necessarily required at the scene. We would prefer that you not do it at the scene.
The better approach is to step away from the emotions of the scene and reflect upon it. Speak with an attorney. Make sure you understand the laws and relevant vehicle codes. What did you do, and why did you not do it? Do a little bit of investigation and then decide if you’re involved or not.
So the punchline is, if you’re in an accident, there’s nothing wrong with being a human being. You should be. First, try to help those who are in need. That’s what really matters. The second issue about fault and responsibility will come in due course. Take a deep breath, leave the scene after you’ve had a chance to exchange information, speak with an attorney to make sure you’re making the right decision, and then we can discuss fault or not at fault.
My name again is Matt Eason. Suppose you’ve been involved in a car accident and have questions or concerns about whether you were at fault or the other side was at fault. In that case, I hope you’ll consider reaching out to me or one of the different auto accident lawyers in Sacramento. The automobile accident law firm again is Eason & Tambornini. We are located at 1234 H St Sacramento, CA 95814, or you can find us on the web at www.capcitylaw.com. Of course, you’re welcome to call us at 916-438-1819.
