Talking and Interacting With the Other Driver After an Accident
How you talk and interact with the other driver after a collision is crucial to your subsequent claim. Use these tips to ensure your words and actions don’t hurt your claim.
Check If the Other Driver Is Okay
Health is the most important thing after an accident. Check on the other driver if you are all right or have only suffered minor injuries. Every minute counts in such cases. If you are lucky enough to get out of the car after a fender bender but the other driver is still in their car, check if you need to call for emergency services or help the driver in any way.
Don’t Decline Medical Help
If the other driver is all right and you have injuries, they may approach you and offer to help. For example, the driver may offer to call for an ambulance to take you to the emergency room. Don’t decline the help, even if you are angry or feel that your injuries are minor.
Maybe the other driver has seen something, such as blood or a twisted body part, which has convinced them of your injuries’ seriousness. After all, the adrenaline rush and shock that people experience immediately after trauma often mask pain. Your injuries might worsen if you don’t get immediate medical attention.
In addition, you show that your injuries are minor if you decline offers of medical care. The other driver might use that against you when you eventually file your claim.
Don’t Accept Liability
should never accept liability after a car crash for two main reasons. First, your auto insurance company requires you not to admit liability after an accident. You complicate the insurance company’s legal work if you admit liability.
Secondly, liability is not always clear after a crash. The confusion, injuries, and limited understanding of injury law might make you think that you are in the wrong, even if the other driver is liable for the crash. Do not apologize for the accident since an apology constitutes indirect admission of liability.
Don’t Retaliate
Some drivers’ actions can leave you furious. For example, a driver might cut in front of you or sideswipe you if their phone distracts them. Such actions might tempt you to retaliate, for example, by running such drivers off the road if your car still runs.
Unfortunately, such road rage will only complicate matters for you. First, road rage that causes damage or injuries is a crime. Secondly, the damage or injuries you cause might attract a counterclaim from the other driver. Calm down before you engage the other driver if you need to.
Don’t Forget to Exchange Information
Exchange the necessary information with the other driver. Request the information politely if the other driver doesn’t offer it. The information you need includes the driver’s name, address, phone number, driver’s license, and insurance information.
Don’t Discuss the Accident
Don’t discuss the accident with the other driver. The more you talk, the more you will let something slip and complicate your claim. For example, the driver might learn that you were rushing home to your child’s birthday party and assume that you were speeding. The driver might then claim that your speeding caused the accident.
Don’t Negotiate a Cash Settlement
Lastly, do not negotiate a cash settlement with the other driver. Most people will only offer you cash if they feel liable for the crash. Some people also offer cash if they don’t have auto insurance.
Unfortunately, on-the-spot cash settlement is bad for multiple reasons. For example, you don’t know your claim’s value immediately after a crash. Secondly, the other driver might go back on their word and sue you for damages even after you accept their offer. Politely insist on the proper channel of involving the insurance companies.
Contact Bradley, Drendel & Jeanney for help if you are involved in an accident. Use our legal expertise and decades of experience to get the compensation you deserve.