As your first instinct after experiencing a motor vehicle accident, you might apologize to the other people involved. You might genuinely feel sorry for any damage or injuries and as a kind person, it makes sense to say something to the other person.
However, apologizing is a big mistake. Saying sorry after a collision with cars or pedestrians complicates you trying to get reasonable compensation from the person responsible.
Inadvertently accepting responsibility
Florida law applies comparative negligence to personal injury cases. If your actions or conduct partially contributed to the damages claimed in the lawsuit, this diminishes the amount you recover in the lawsuit. You will not be totally barred from getting economic and other damages, but expect a reduction to the total award package.
If you apologize, it will appear like you take responsibility for a part of the accident and some of your injuries.
Additionally, in the aftermath of an accident, you deal with a lot of chaos as the scene becomes flooded with emergency services personnel. If you try to make apologies, this detracts from more pressing matters you have with the paramedics and police officers.
Accidentally admitting guilt
In the midst of the confusion in the moments following an accident, you may think that you are at fault and caused the accident. However, at this point you do not know enough information to see the full picture and admit any guilt. If you say sorry, it may appear as if you admit your guilt.
If you carefully censor what you say after an accident and generally keep, you have the opportunity to maximize your chances of getting fair compensation for any injuries suffered or damage to property.
