Post-Accident Communication Tips

Car accidents can be shocking and disorienting, but it’s important to keep your head once you talk to other motorists and the police. Tips for post-accident communication include being polite, limiting what you say, and sticking to the facts. 

Everyone has heard the line, ‘What you say can and will be used against you,’ and this can be true of what you say after an accident. If you need help navigating the aftermath, an experienced Phoenix car accident lawyer, like those at Gage Mathers, can help make sure you communicate effectively and any missteps aren’t blown out of proportion.

Why What You Say Matters

After an accident, you may be shaken up. Possibly, you’ll be facing someone who’s hurt or angry. It’s natural to want to explain your side of things or apologize or assure people that you’re okay. 

Unfortunately, comments like this can be misinterpreted and used against you afterwards. Arizona is an at-fault state, which means that the motorist responsible for the accident is responsible for the damages, and in determining liability, what’s said at the scene of the crash can be relevant.

Insurance companies are eager to establish responsibility, especially in complicated cases that bring up issues like chain reaction crash liability. Hopefully, you never get into an accident, but it’s smart to understand how to communicate after one just in case.

Communicating After an Accident

The first thing you need to do after an accident is make sure you and other people involved are safe. Once that’s been done, call for help and call the police. Once those things have been taken care of, you can talk with people present in a few specific ways.

• Exchange information: Trade names, contact details, vehicle registrations, and insurance information.
• Don’t debate: Don’t explain what you think happened and don’t argue. Say you want to document the scene of the accident, and focus on that.
• Be polite: Limit conversation, but be cordial.
• Cooperate: Once the police arrive, answer their questions but stick with facts. Don’t guess about what you think happened. If you don’t know something, say so.

If there are witnesses, communicate with them in a similar way. Ask for their contact information and don’t try to pressure or explain. Keep your interactions short. An accident victim who didn’t try to persuade a witness to corroborate their version of events is much more credible than one that did.

The final thing you should be sure to do is call a lawyer. From here on, you’ll be talking with doctors, insurance adjusters, and possibly the lawyers of other people involved. When you hire a lawyer, you’re paying for their expertise in how to talk with all the above.

Checklist: What to Say (and Not Say) After a Car Accident

Quick Tip: Less is more. The safest approach is to be polite, factual, and brief.

Medical Communication

When it comes to medical care, be as transparent as possible. Again, the impulse to tell people you feel fine can be strong. Be honest with doctors about any and all symptoms. This can provide a timeline for worsening conditions you’ll later need to prove exist.

Let the Experts Help

In a situation where a small misstep can cost you, it’s helpful to have an expert on your side. This is where Gage Mathers comes in. 

We can coach you on how to communicate with all the players after an accident and make sure you don’t have to handle the hard conversations alone. We even have experience with government vehicle accident lawsuits. Reach out today to get the expertise and resources you deserve!

About the Author

Joseph D'Aguanno

Guided by the belief that being a highly skilled specialist in a narrow field is better than being ordinary in everything, Joseph “JD” D’Aguanno leads Arizona’s best personal injury law firm in Phoenix, AZ. Having extensive cross-training in pre-litigation negotiations and trial lawyer skills, with decades of experience, JD strives to provide clients with the most valuable legal services a personal injury lawyer can provide. Under his direction, Gage Mathers Law Group is an award-winning personal injury law firm providing aggressive representation to victims of a car accident, medical malpractice, dog bite, motorcycle accident, and other injurious events. Gage Mathers is trusted by thousands of lawyers and clients throughout the country because of their reputation for getting clients the maximum compensation they deserve.

Years of experience: Over 24 years
Bar number: 020421
Location: Phoenix, AZ
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