What Are the Things I Should Never Say at an Accident Scene?

The moments after a car accident are a blur of adrenaline, confusion, and raw emotion. In this high-stakes environment, what you say—to the other driver, to witnesses, and even to the first police officer on the scene—can have a profound and lasting impact on your ability to recover fair compensation for your injuries and damages.

Your words become part of the official record. They can be twisted, misinterpreted, and used against you by insurance adjusters whose primary job is to minimize their company’s payout. While your instinct may be to be polite, explain yourself, or even apologize to de-escalate the tension, you must be incredibly careful.

Think of the accident scene as the first and most critical phase of your insurance claim. Protecting your rights begins with knowing what not to say. This guide outlines the key phrases and statements you should avoid at all costs.

Useful Information for You: In a Nutshell

• “I’m sorry” or “It was my fault.”: This is the #1 mistake. It can be interpreted as a direct admission of legal guilt, even if you were just being polite.
• “I’m okay” or “I’m not hurt.”: Adrenaline can mask serious injuries like whiplash or concussions. This statement can be used to deny your medical claims later.
  
   
• “I think…” or any speculation: Do not guess about speed, distance, or what happened. Stick only to the 100% verifiable facts you know.
  
   
• “I’m in a hurry” or “Let’s just handle this ourselves.”: This can signal to an insurer that the accident wasn’t serious and can lead to you accepting a bad deal without a proper investigation.
• Too much detail to the other driver’s insurer: You are not obligated to give a recorded statement. Keep your initial report to your own insurer factual and brief.

1. “I’m sorry.” (Or any variation, like “It was my fault.”)

This is the cardinal sin of accident scene communication. In our everyday lives, “I’m sorry” is a polite way to show empathy. After a car accident, it is an admission of guilt in the eyes of an insurance company. It doesn’t matter if you were sorry that the event happened or sorry that the other person is shaken up; they will record it as, “The other driver admitted they were at fault.” Never apologize.

2. “I’m okay.” / “I’m not hurt.”

This is the second-most damaging phrase you can utter. The shock and adrenaline of a crash are powerful natural painkillers. You may have sustained a serious soft-tissue injury, whiplash, or even a concussion and not feel the full effects for hours or even days. If you state at the scene that you aren’t injured, the insurance adjuster will use that statement to question the validity of any medical claim you make later. They will argue, “If your injury was from the accident, you would have felt it at the scene.”

3. “I think…” (Or any form of speculation)

When the police officer asks what happened, stick strictly to the facts you know for certain. Do not guess or speculate.

• Instead of: “I think he was going about 40 mph.”
• Say: “He was traveling faster than I was.”
• Instead of: “I guess I had the green light.”
• Say: “I remember my light was green when I entered the intersection.”

Speculating can damage your credibility if your guess turns out to be wrong. If you don’t know something for sure, it is perfectly acceptable—and much smarter—to say, “I’m not sure” or “I don’t recall.”

4. “Let’s just handle this between us.”

This is always a risky idea, especially if you are not the at-fault party. What looks like a minor bumper scuff can hide thousands of dollars in sensor and frame damage. Furthermore, if you begin to feel pain a day later, the “handshake deal” you made to accept $200 for the bumper will not cover your medical bills. Always go through official channels—call the police and report the claim to your insurance.

5. Giving a Recorded Statement to the Other Insurer

You should promptly report the accident to your own insurance company with the basic facts. However, if the other driver’s insurance adjuster calls you, you are not legally required to provide them with a detailed, recorded statement. Their questions are designed to get you to say something that minimizes their driver’s fault or your injuries. Politely decline and state that you will be working through your own insurance or legal counsel.

So, What Should You Say?

Your communication at the scene should be calm, concise, and factual.

• To show concern without admitting fault: “Are you alright?”
• When asked about injuries: “I’m going to get checked out by a doctor to be sure.”
• When asked what happened: Stick to simple, verifiable facts. “I was stopped at the red light. The other car hit me from behind.”

The words you choose in the first few minutes after a crash can define the next few months of your life. By knowing what to avoid saying, you protect your ability to get the fair compensation you need to recover.

If you’re in the Tacoma area and have questions about the claims process or are worried about something you said at the scene, the next step is to get professional guidance. Search the Car Accident Lawyer Directory Tacoma. By comparing detailed profiles and real client Google Reviews, you can connect with a trusted local attorney who can speak on your behalf and ensure your rights are protected.

References

• Washington State Office of the Insurance Commissioner (OIC) – What to do if you have an accident: Official guidance for Washington residents that often includes tips on what information to share and how to communicate after a crash. https://www.insurance.wa.gov/what-do-if-you-have-accident-and-need-file-claim
• National Safety Council (NSC) – What to Do After a Car Crash: A leading safety organization’s checklist, which provides authoritative, non-commercial advice on post-accident procedures. https://www.nsc.org/road-safety/safety-topics/what-to-do-after-a-car-crash