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

After an Accident Should You Speak to Anyone Before You Speak to Your Lawyer?

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

Speaking With Others Before Your Attorney Could Lead to Problems

Ideally, after a car accident, you should speak with your lawyer before you speak to anyone else. The immediate, unavoidable consequences of your situation, however, will very likely require at least some conversation with others.

Call 1-(833) 300-0866 For a Free Case Consultation Today
Call (855) 943-5556 For a Free Case Consultation Today

It is essential to first understand and assume that anybody that you speak to who may affect the resolution of your accident, will be recording your every word. If you speak with the police, they have their bodycam, and if you speak to your insurance adjuster, they will be recording the call. (Most states do not require your permission to record a conversation if they, too, are a party).

Additionally, in this age where our expectations of privacy are diminishing at every turn, assume that the person(s) with whom you had your accident will likewise be secretly recording anything you say to them.

Dashcams are also common, which may have recorded the whole accident and any subsequent conversation. And, recordings of conversations will always be considered better evidence than a memorized recollection of what was said between two parties.

With that in mind, when you do speak with an individual, be very careful with what you say. We tend to apologize in uncomfortable situations even if we are certain that we are not at fault.

Apologizing, however, could indeed do more harm than good because such apologies have been used to help determine fault. This notable vehicle accident blog discusses some of the reasoning.

Better phrases to use would be, "Are you okay?" or "I wish we weren't in this mess." Such discussion maintains the standard cordiality, does not indicate blame, and shows sincere concern.

If possible, follow up those phrases with an open-ended question to get the other party to talk. "What happened?" is ideal because you just may obtain some information that could help you should the accident progress to litigation, or if your insurance company is trying to determine who should pay what.

Therefore, in a perfect world, you should not speak to anyone before you speak to your lawyer. If you know what to say when the inevitable interactions occur, however, you will be able to adequately protect yourself after the accident.

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
Truck Accident
https://assets.website-files.com/5d51b2f2cab8feda6f5631e4/5ef0c18b491862758d778fe7_noun_Truck_1918523.png
Truck Accident
Auto Accident
hKj3HFOT
Motorcycle Accident
https://assets.website-files.com/5d51b2f2cab8feda6f5631e4/5ef0c2ae0217605081652a99_noun_Motorcycle_3355458-2.png
Motorcycle
Auto Accident
hKj3HFOT
Pedestrian Accident
https://assets.website-files.com/5d51b2f2cab8feda6f5631e4/5ef0ec03153c2f34f12507e9_noun_Pedestrian%20Crossing_1016856.png
Pedestrian Accident
Tagged:
Personal Injury Lawyer
Do I Need a Lawyer
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
What to do After a Car Accident
blog category legal icon
Legal Resources for Car Accidents
blog category legal icon
Top News & Press Releases
blog category legal icon
Medical Malpractice
blog category legal icon
Case Studies & Infographics
blog category legal icon
Workers Compensation
blog category legal icon
SSDI Benefits
blog category legal icon
California Resources
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
Safety, Accidents and Commercial Insurance for 18-Wheelers
If you have been hit by a tractor trailer, you are facing a unique challenge. Because tractor-trailers are usually operated by businesses, you aren't just going up against another driver, but a company too. Finding a skilled auto attorney can help you get the compensation you deserve.
calendar icon
Nov 17, 2020
user iconJack C
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
How Do Car Accident Attorneys Decide to Take a Case?
If you've been in a car accident, the more evidence you have, the stronger your case will be and the easier it will be for your accident attorney to help you. When navigating your injury claims, it's important to know what information a lawyer needs to get you the most compensation.
calendar icon
Feb 2, 2021
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
Maximum Compensation
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.