With adrenaline pumping through your system, it’s easy to say something that you didn’t intend to after a car accident. You may not even remember what you said until it’s brought up in a subsequent personal injury lawsuit that you file against the negligent driver. At first glance, your statements may not seem like much, but in the legal context, they could jeopardize the viability of your claim. This is because your statements may be construed as admitting fault, which can drastically reduce the amount of compensation you can recover or prevent you from winning your case at all.
If you think that you’ve made statements that can be used against you in your personal injury case, then you need to be strategic in your next steps. Here are some tips you should consider implementing:
- Stop talking about the specifics of your case with anyone other than your attorney.
- Avoid providing a written statement to the insurance company or the defendant’s attorney.
- Thoroughly prepare for a deposition since the defense will probably subpoena you for one and will grill you on those harmful statements.
- Be prepared to clarify what you meant with what you said.
- Be ready to contextualize your statements.
- Find ways to attack the credibility of those who claim they heard you make harmful statements.
Develop a strategy to protect your interests as fully as possible
There’s a lot on the line in a personal injury case. That’s why you have to be aggressive and strategic in formulating your legal arguments. Even if you’ve made mistakes along the way, don’t allow yourself to be consumed with stress. Instead, talk to legal professionals who can help you find a viable path forward that maximizes your chances of securing the outcome you want and deserve