In Texas, the courts and insurance companies consider whether one or both drivers were at fault in car accidents. Therefore, you can recover compensation for your losses if you were not more than fifty percent at fault. However, it becomes challenging when you admit responsibility for the accident—as it is more difficult to recoup damages from an insurer or in a lawsuit.
If you’ve been hurt in a car accident, contact us at Patterson Law Group for a free consultation about what you may have said at the scene of a collision. We are lean, efficient, and embrace technology; the sum of these parts is a team ready to fight for you.
What Counts as Admitting Fault?
After an accident, avoid making statements to the insurer, investigator, police, sheriff, or others stating you were at fault or implying this. Be careful not to speculate or offer an opinion on how the accident might have happened. In the aftermath, when you may be in shock, avoid expressions of remorse. You may be sorry the accident occurred, but that doesn’t mean you are liable. Examples of this include the following:
- I’m sorry this happened
- It was my fault. Or it was probably my fault.
- I should have been more careful. Or variations such as I should’ve avoided the area, or I should’ve been paying attention.
What If I Believe The Accident Was My Fault?
After an accident, you don’t know why it happened. As a driver, you’re not privy to all the facts. An investigation can bring out other essential information. For example, the other driver may have been speeding, driving while impaired or distracted, or had a mechanical failure. Once you admit fault, you can’t take it back. Your apology or your statement will persist in official reports and can impact your damages recovery.
What If I Made a Mistake While I Was Driving?
Even if you’re concerned about a mistake, you should not admit fault after an accident. Under Texas’ comparative fault doctrine, both drivers can recover when they are partly to blame. You can recover damages from the other driver if you are not more than 50 percent at fault.
How Our Car Accident Attorneys Can Help
Patterson Law Group has deep roots in the Fort Worth, Texas, community. This enables us to investigate the accident thoroughly, negotiate with your insurer, gather proof, and interview witnesses. We will fight for your rights in court against all parties who played a role in the accident–including those who sold defective auto parts or were impaired while behind the wheel–and pursue the maximum monetary judgment you deserve.
Call our Fort Worth attorneys at Patterson Law Group to learn more about car accident claim representation during a free consultation. We work on a contingency basis, so there are no upfront legal fees.
