In my years as an auto collision lawyer, I have often seen clients make fatal flaws when handling their car accident claims. Even if they’re not at fault for the wreck, small errors they make before calling me can get them in situations they never intended, and then they’re left on the hook for a portion (or sometimes all) of the accident’s resulting damages.

Fortunately, I’m here to help. If you want to ensure that you’re not blamed for your recent car wreck, review these four major ways you could jeopardize your claim, and take steps to avoid them as you move forward; you could end up being held responsible for a car accident in the following situations:

1. If you admit fault – If you say “sorry,” “my mistake” or even a simple “oops” when talking with the other driver, their lawyer or their insurer, it could be interpreted as you admitting fault in the wreck. If this happens, it could make you liable for at least a percentage of the damages and injuries caused by the accident.
2. If your story is inaccurate – If the police report, a traffic camera or an eyewitness says one thing happened, but you go against that evidence and say it didn’t, then it could be interpreted as you lying to cover up your part in the accident. Always be completely truthful when telling your story – don’t embellish or exaggerate the details, and don’t leave anything out.
3. If your story is inconsistent – The story you tell the first time should be exactly the same as you tell it the last time. If you’re inconsistent at any point, it can indicate that you’re unsure about what really happened or that you’re hiding something. Ultimately, neither of these is good for your case.
4. If you refuse to hire a lawyer – If you truly want to avoid paying for a wreck you didn’t cause, then hiring an auto collision lawyer is an absolute must. They’ll protect you, fight for your rights and get you the money you deserve.

Were you recently in a wreck? Then contact an auto collision lawyer at The Snow Law Firm today. We can help.