Immediately after a car accident, your emotions may be running high. It may only feel natural to express your sympathy for the other driver with a heartfelt, “I’m so sorry!”
Don’t do it. Even if you only mean to convey the idea that you’re sorry the accident happened, you should never apologize after a wreck.
Your words could be turned against you
Apologizing can be seen as an admission of guilt. It may certainly seem that way to the other driver, and their insurance company may interpret an apology as an acknowledgment of responsibility. That could make it much harder for you to press a claim for your losses in the future, especially in a state like Oklahoma.
Here, the rules of contributory negligence say that you cannot recover for your injuries and losses against another party if you are more culpable for the wreck than they are. Even if you are found to be less responsible for the crash than the other driver, anything you’re entitled to recover can be reduced in proportion to your share of the fault. That means that if you’re 45% responsible for a wreck that caused you $100,000 in losses, you would only receive $65,000 in compensation.
What should you do instead? Focus on the other driver’s well-being, instead. It’s much safer – and more useful – to ask the other driver, “Are you okay? Do you need an ambulance?” That still conveys your concern without accepting blame.
If you’re injured in a wreck that was caused by another driver’s mistakes, it can be next to impossible to get a fair settlement on your own. Obtaining experienced legal guidance can help protect your interests.
