Having an accident which impacts on your life is stressful. When you are trying to cover medical costs and need to take time off work to recover, it is important that you know what your financial options are. Personal injury attorneys help people who have been through an accident and now seek recourse from the other person who caused it. Before you meet with a personal injury attorney, there are details you need to gather so the attorney can help you with your case. These posts are all about what accident and personal injury attorneys do, what they need from you, and the different situations where using one is beneficial to your lifestyle.
When a car accident happens, you may not be thinking clearly. This includes the possibility of saying it was your fault when you shouldn't have. Is admitting fault going to block you from suing?
What Is Fault in a Car Accident?
Fault in a car accident decides who should pay for it. If one driver is innocent, they shouldn't lose money because the other driver did something wrong. For example, a driver who runs a red light and causes an accident has to pay the driver who had the right of way.
In some cases, the drivers can share fault. If one driver runs a stop sign but the other driver wouldn't have gotten hit if they weren't speeding, the speeding driver shares some of the blame. Each driver gets assigned a percentage of the fault and pays that portion of the damages.
What Happens When You Admit Fault?
There are two things that can happen when you admit fault. First, the claim could end without further investigation. For example, say that both drivers had a red light at the time of the accident. What happens if you say it was all your fault for running your red light? The police officer would have no reason to talk to additional witnesses to find out the other driver had a red light. The insurance company or judge would look at the police report and order you to pay for the accident.
Further, if you try to dispute fault later, your earlier statements can be used against you. Even if you don't directly contradict yourself, many courts and insurance companies prefer to go by earlier statements without strong evidence supporting the change.
Can You Still Sue if You Admitted Fault?
You can sue up until the point that you sign a settlement agreement or lose in court. There is no second trial if you say the wrong thing in court. If you sign a settlement, you sign an agreement to not sue.
If you haven't signed a settlement or gone to court, your car accident claim isn't final. You can still file an insurance claim or a lawsuit just as you would in any other accident. Of course, the defendant is going to say that you already admitted fault. However, if the evidence is on your side, your attorney can help you use it to support your case.
To learn more about contact an auto accident injury attorney today.
Share19 February 2021
