When it comes to driving, many people are very quick to become angry at other drivers, especially in heavy traffic and when you are in a hurry. This is sometimes interesting, because many of us would never exhibit the same behavior if we accidentally bumped into someone while passing on a sidewalk. Whatever the reason may be for our quick reaction to get mad at other drivers, the situation becomes much different if people are injured in an accident.
If you are involved in an accident and see that someone else involved is injured, your first reaction is likely not to yell at the person for cutting you off, but instead, to ensure that person is okay, and call 911. While many people say a lot of not-so-nice things, when it comes to a person’s life, people’s actions tend to be much more compassionate. However, being compassionate and ensuring someone is okay can open the door to admitting liability if you are not careful about how you deal with the situation.
Apologizing May Be Considered an Admission of Liability
After an accident has occurred, it is a natural reaction to say “oh, I’m sorry, are you okay?” This seemingly harmless and normal reaction could be interpreted to mean that you are apologizing because you caused the accident. When you bump someone on a sidewalk, both you and the person you bumped often say sorry as a natural reaction. Apologizing after bumping someone on a sidewalk is harmless. Saying “sorry” after an automobile accident raises a host of issues that may make it easier for another driver to allege that you caused the accident.
Further, if you were also injured in the automobile accident, and the other driver is the one who caused the accident, any apology or statements you make to the other injured driver can used against you in some way. If it is clear that one driver caused the accident, any so-called apology after an accident likely will not be an issue. However, if it is difficult to determine which driver caused the accident, an apology can be seen as an extremely important fact to any potential case.
As such, if you are involved in an automobile accident in which you believe the other person is at fault, you should keep in mind that while you should certainly make sure the other driver is okay, you should do so in a way that does not expose you to liability. This is easier said than done given that an accident is a shocking experience that gets your adrenaline flowing, making it difficult for you to act as you normally would with a clear head. Thus, if you have been injured in an automobile accident caused by another person, it is essential that you discuss the matter with an attorney who can help determine whether you are entitled to compensation from the other driver as well as take the necessary steps to protect your rights.
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The Georgia Personal Injury Attorneys of Montlick & Associates, Attorneys at Law, strive to provide outstanding legal representation to clients from across the state of Georgia as well as in the Southeast. Our knowledgeable car accident lawyers at Montlick and Associates have been representing those who suffer serious injuries throughout all of Georgia and in the Southeast for over thirty years, including but not limited to Albany, Athens, Atlanta, Augusta, Columbus, Gainesville, Macon, Marietta, Rome, Roswell, Savannah, Smyrna, Valdosta, Warner Robins and all smaller cities and rural areas in the state.
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