accident.com logo
Free Consultation
Calipso
Intro
Home
drop down icon
Home v.1Home v.2Home v.3Home v.4Home v.5Coming Soon
Pricing
drop down icon
Pricing v.1: ComparisonPricing v.2Pricing v.3Pricing v.4
Blog
drop down icon
Blog v.1: List & SidebarBlog v.2: Grid & SidebarBlog v.3: Big GridBlog v.4: Medium GridBlog v.5: Small GridBlog Post
Pages
drop down icon
Contact v.1Contact v.2Privacy Policy404 PageProtected PageStyle GuideLicensingChangelog
Components
drop down icon
FeaturesCall to ActionTestimonialsPricing TablesFooters
Homebread crumbs arrowResource Centerbread crumbs icon What to do After a Car Accidentbread-crumbs arrow
Post
What to do After a Car Accident

Limiting your conversation regarding an accident

4 min read
star icon
twitter sharing icon
...
facebook sharing icon
email sharing icon
Jack C

After a car accident, emotions often run high. You may want to yell at the other driver or defend yourself to anyone who will listen. It may be hard, but the best thing you can do at this serious time is limit what you say. Saying the wrong thing can keep you from getting money to pay for any damage.

‍Call (855) 943-5556 For a Free Case Consultation Today

Just the facts

You'll need to ask the people in the other car for basic facts. You'll need the other driver's name, address and phone number along with their insurance company's name and the policy number. Remember to write down the types of vehicles involved and their license plates and registration data. When talking to the other driver, stick to just the basics. Don't describe how you feel or what you were thinking right before the accident. Don't say anything that might seem like you're admitting responsibility or guilt.

Is everyone okay?

It's important to find out if anyone was hurt in the accident. Finding injuries can help make sure the right person takes responsibility. When you talk to a lawyer, having this information will help protect your rights in any claims or lawsuits later.

Take time to check your body for any injuries from the accident, like bleeding, weakness or pain. Ask other people who were involved if they are hurt, but only talk about injuries. When the police come, let them know if anyone needs medical help. Tell the medical professionals what hurts and how badly, but don't try to figure out what's wrong yourself. And remember: even if you think you're okay, it's best to see a doctor to be sure and to record anything that might matter to your case. Sometimes symptoms may not show up for a long time. For example, PTSD may not show up for weeks and by then it will be a lot harder to link it to your accident.

Controlling emotions and conversations

It's common to feel angry after a car accident. The rest of your day is ruined, your vehicle might be unusable and need lots of repairs, and you have high levels of adrenaline. These problems make it easy to lash out, right or wrong, at anyone you think is responsible.

This reaction can go both ways. The other driver could be angry with you, especially if their car is a rare, expensive or custom vehicle. Stay calm and keep your distance. Don't let them frighten or corner you. Stay in your car if you can to prevent arguing or saying too much and wait for the police to arrive.

Staying in your car can also keep you from discussing the accident with people standing nearby. Simply saying “I didn't mean to hit them” or “They came out of nowhere” can sound like you see it as your fault. This can limit the amount of coverage your insurance provides after a car accident. Even worse, if you change any part of your story later, you might accidentally commit perjury.

Did anybody see what happened?

After the police arrive, cooperate with them in their investigation. This is also a good time to ask witnesses what they saw. If you're sure the accident wasn’t your fault, talk to anyone who saw what happened and write down what they say. Of course, this is less important if you think the accident was your fault.

Keep it simple. Only ask witnesses to describe what they saw. Don't try to get them to take your side. Trying to get witnesses to say certain things can seem unfair and hurt your case in court. Stick to the facts and don't ask or suggest who may have been at fault.

Keep details off your feed

After the accident, you might want to post photos or comments about it on social media. No matter what, don't do this because anything you post can be used as evidence in court. Remember that even if you delete a post, anyone who took a screenshot has a permanent record of what you said.

Social media also makes it easy to talk about the accident by responding to comments. Your comments can be used in court, but the other driver's insurance company can also contact the people you talked to. This can put them in a tricky situation.

We would also like to mention safety at the accident scene. Earlier, we suggested staying in your car to avoid talking with other people. But even more importantly, it protects you from getting hit by another car. You should never stand where moving traffic can hit you. Don't make the problem worse by getting hit by a distracted driver who's trying to see what happened.

Sadly, car accidents happen no matter how carefully you drive. After a car accident, don't talk to anyone until you contact a lawyer to protect your rights and legal interests and get a better payment. Accident.com can help you find a good lawyer for your situation.

Speak to a Lawyer Near You.
Choose Accident Type
Car AccidentInjured PersonConstruction WorkerJudge's Gavel
Car Accident
Workers Comp
Slip and Fall
Wrongful Death
Thank you! Your submission has been received!
Oops! Something went wrong while submitting the form.
Auto Accident
hKj3HFOT
Auto Accident
https://assets.website-files.com/5d51b2f2cab8feda6f5631e4/5ee9111ec05401c2cf556bba_5d51b4f777dd508c436c6529_accidentCom_auto_accident_orange.png
Auto Accident
Auto Accident
hKj3HFOT
Rear-End Collision
https://assets.website-files.com/5d51b2f2cab8feda6f5631e4/5ef0ce5d0217601a1365404f_Rear_end_collision.png
Rear-End Collision
Auto Accident
hKj3HFOT
Bicycle Accident
https://assets.website-files.com/5d51b2f2cab8feda6f5631e4/5eea735b73eb4e1bf7f0720e_noun_Bike_2411256.png
Bicycle Accident
Auto Accident
hKj3HFOT
Commercial Accident
https://assets.website-files.com/5d51b2f2cab8feda6f5631e4/5ef0c18b491862758d778fe7_noun_Truck_1918523.png
Commercial Accident
Tagged:
Do I Need a Lawyer
Hit by a Car
Car Injury Compensation
twitter icon blue
facebook iconlinkedin icon
Free Car Accident Consultation
form icon
Free Case Review

Submit a contact form via desktop or mobile device. Our algorithm will connect you to an injury attorney located near you.

Find Lawyer
Related Articles
What to do After a Car Accident
Car Not Working After Your Accident? Rely on Your Roadside Assistance Program
What to do After a Car Accident
Sharing Contact Information at the Scene of a Car Accident
What to do After a Car Accident
A Picture Is Worth a Thousand Words - Document everything
Categories
blog category legal icon
Legal Resources for Car Accidents
blog category legal icon
Top News & Press Releases
blog category legal icon
California Resources
blog category legal icon
Case Studies & Infographics
blog category legal icon
SSDI Benefits
blog category legal icon
What to do After a Car Accident
blog category legal icon
Medical Malpractice
blog category legal icon
Workers Compensation
Get Max Compensation
maximum compensation money icon
Free Legal Advice

We connect you to a top lawyer near you. Your lawyer will immediately contact you for a free, no obligation, case consultation.

Thank you! Your submission has been received!
Oops! Something went wrong while submitting the form.
Speak to a Lawyer
Note: Accident.com’s editorial content is not written by a Lawyer. It’s intended for informational purposes and should not be considered legal advice.
More Posts

Additional Resources

What to do After a Car Accident
Being the Passenger in a Car Accident
Being a passenger involved in a car accident affords you special rights when it comes to insurance. For this reason, it's important to find an auto attorney that is familiar with all the different ways to get you a fast and fair settlement for passenger injuries.
calendar icon
Dec 15, 2020
user iconJack C
What to do After a Car Accident
Motorcycle Safety, Accidents and You
Motorcycles provide a sense of freedom that only those who ride understand. Unfortunately, as you are well aware, this freedom comes with a higher risk of injury in a motorcycle accident. An auto lawyer can help.
calendar icon
Nov 24, 2020
user iconNick J
What to do After a Car Accident
After an Accident Should You Speak to Anyone Before You Speak to Your Lawyer?
After an accident, you will likely have to speak with others before you speak with your attorney. If so, ensure that you know what to say and what not to say for your own legal protection.
calendar icon
May 11, 2020
user iconJack C
thumbnail view all articles
Explore ALl Posts
Contact Us

Get in Touch

Please fill out the following form and we’ll be in touch with you in less than 24 hours.

Thank you! Your submission has been received!
Oops! Something went wrong while submitting the form.
Calipso
HomePricingBlogAboutContact
Buy Template
Carefully crafted by Elastic Themes
Powered by Webflow
Style Guide
Licensing
Changelog
accident logo
facebook icontwitter iconlinkedin Icon
Thank you! You are now subscribed to our blog.
Oops! Something went wrong while submitting the form.
HomeContact
Resource CenterCategories

ATTORNEY ADVERTISING. The information provided on this website is not legal advice. No attorney-client relationship is formed by the use of this site. The attorney listings on the site are paid-for attorney advertisements and do not constitute a referral or endorsement by a state agency or bar association. It is not stated or implied that a lawyer is certified as a specialist in any particular field of law. No results are guaranteed, and prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome. This site is informational, only, not dispositive; it is up to you to decide whether a particular lawyer is right for you. Contingency fee refers only to attorney’s fees; a client may incur or be liable for other costs or expenses. Use of this site is subject to your agreement to these Terms and Conditions. If you are seeking an attorney in Florida, please read the additional state advertising disclosure. Copyright 2022. All right reserved.