It’s extremely stressful and traumatizing to be involved in an accident, regardless of whether you’re the victim or the one at fault. Because despite how overwhelmed you are with everything happening, you’re expected to be mindful of every move you make. Otherwise, you’re at risk of being sued by those involved in the same accident as you.
Car accidents are up there as one of the most frustrating cases. After all, the people involved in the accident aren’t the only ones affected. Even the vehicles they occupy will end up getting damaged. Sadly, car accidents can happen anywhere. Hence, finding a car accident lawyer in Utah or any local law firm you have in the area must be your next move if you want to recover financially.
But even though you found one, hiring a lawyer doesn’t guarantee an instant win for your case. Because aside from having a professional on board, you must collect enough evidence to strengthen your case. Without sufficient support, going through all the effort to search for the best law firm in the entire state would be pointless. On the bright side, various sources of evidence are within your reach, especially with a professional by your side. And the best starting point is what you said at the scene.
What To Say
The rule of thumb when getting involved in any accident is to keep quiet, especially if other victims are sound of mind. After all, it’s easy to say the wrong thing given the situation. And with others nearby, it might be easier to build a case against you to settle a claim. But despite how paranoid-inducing it is, it shouldn’t stop you from asking about your fellow victims.
- ‘Is Everyone Okay?’
Regardless of who’s at fault, ask if everyone is doing fi. Granted, you’d be frustrated for having the same people who caused the accident be treated the same as any victim; however, everyone still got affected by the car accident. Hence, it’s only proper to secure their well-being.
If you have passengers in your vehicles, check on them. See if any of them sustained damage from the accident. Once you’ve secured their conditions, go to the other vehicle involved. Even if they’re at fault, be calm and ensure they’re safe too. Not only is it the right thing to do, but expressing your concern to others can also reflect on your case later on.
- ‘Can We Exchange Information?’
Aside from securing their health, you can also tell the other party whether it’s okay if they could share their information and vice-versa. Essential details you must know about them are their contact information, license information, and insurance information. Obtaining all of these would narrow the search for determining the cause of the accident. Hence, it quickens the investigation even better.
- ‘Are There Any Witnesses?’
Building a case requires extensive preparation. After all, collecting evidence to prove your claim is valid demands thoroughness. Therefore, gathering personal accounts from those who witnessed the accident could cement factual proof. Thus, aside from collecting the other party’s contact information, approach these witnesses to request theirs.
- Call For Help
As soon as you’ve collected what you need, quickly contact medical services. Even if everyone’s lucky enough to sustain minor injuries, those can still worsen if left unattended. Other than medical help, contact the authorities to start the investigation right away and manage the road problems that arose from the car accident. That way, there won’t be any traffic accumulating.
What Not To Say
Now you know what you can say in a car accident, you must’ve realized how constricting it is. , Instead of keeping quiet, here are dialogue options you should remember to avoid for those who aren’t that confident about their constitution:
- ‘I’m Sorry.’
Apologizing for something that wasn’t your fault in the first place translates to you taking responsibility. Granted, that trait is admirable in particular scenarios. However, in accidents – especially car accidents – saying you’re sorry means you’re shouldering everything that happened. Even if you said so to comfort the other party, that phrase would make anyone in the scene believe you’re the one at fault.
- ‘I’m Okay.’
Being involved in a car accident is extremely stressful, especially if you’re directly involved in it. Although so many things are happening simultaneously, your body’s goal is to push for survival. Pumping your brain with adrenaline numbs the pain, hence improving your chances. Because of that, it’s safe to say you still sustained injuries, regardless of your assurances.
- ‘I Think…’
Everything you say will be used against you when the other party builds a case, even if you’re still disoriented from the accident. Don’t assume something when someone asks you about the accident. If you don’t know the answer, say you don’t know. Answering by guessing might cause you more harm than good.
Takeaway
Being involved in fatal vehicular accidents can be traumatizing. Granted, it’s terrifying while it’s happening. However, the stress doesn’t end when you must endure until the aftermath. Building a case for car accidents might prove challenging, considering how tempting it must be to talk to those on the same boat as you. Despite that, it’s best to be mindful of your words. Otherwise, they might be used against you, even if you hire a professional to help out.
