Can Anything I Say to the Police after My Car Accident Be Used against Me?

If you’ve been injured in a car accident and you believe the other driver was at fault, you may be confused about how best to proceed, and if that’s the case, you’re not alone. The immense stress and adrenaline rush you experience in the aftermath of a car crash – not to mention the pain you’ll suffer if you were injured in the process – can be overwhelming. The good news is that there are steps you can take to help strengthen your claim, and while one of them is knowing how much to share with the attending police officer, another is consulting with an experienced Conway, SC, car accident attorney early on.

Making a Statement to the Police

If you are involved in a traffic accident, the police at the scene are almost certain to ask you some basic questions, including about what happened. The best policy is always to provide the police with the identifying information they request, such as your license, registration, and proof of insurance, and answer their questions about the accident as truthfully, clearly, and briefly as you can.

If you have a reason to believe that the other driver’s negligence was the direct cause of the accident that left you injured – such as if you saw them texting or noticed them swerving as if drunk on the road – you should share this with the police. Ultimately, you’ll need to prove the other driver’s negligence in order to recover compensation for your losses, and if you see something that backs this finding up, including it on the police report, it can strengthen your claim.

Saying Too Much Can Come Back to Haunt Your Claim

The bottom line is that the insurance company handling your claim is motivated to settle it for as little as possible, and if it can prove that you bear more than half of the fault, it can deny your claim altogether. As such, it will carefully consider every statement you make to the police – with a view toward how their meanings can be twisted against you. In other words, less is generally more when it comes to answering the attending officer’s questions.

Only If You’re Facing a Criminal Charge Can Your Words Be Used Against You by the Police

If, in the wake of your accident, the police are questioning you in relation to a crime they believe you’ve committed – or you think they might be – it’s a different matter. At this point, anything you say can be used against you, and it’s in your best interest to provide the police only with the necessary identifying information and to invoke your rights to remain silent and to an attorney.

Turn to an Experienced Conway Car Accident Lawyer Today

The practiced Conway, SC, car accident attorneys at the Law Offices of L. Morgan Martin, P.A., appreciate the challenges you face post-accident and are well prepared to come to your defense in focused protection of your rights and your rightful compensation. For more information about what we can do to help you, please don’t wait to contact us online or call 843-248-3177 today.