No, you should never admit fault for a car accident in Virginia. Even if you are fairly sure you were to blame for the accident, it is best not to admit fault to the police, drivers, passengers, or your friends or family. We also recommend being careful not to admit fault in a phone call to friends and family while at the scene of the accident.
Instead, we recommend speaking with an experienced Virginia car accident attorney who can review your situation and recommend the next steps that may be appropriate for you.
Why Fault Matters After a Virginia Car Crash or Accident
When it comes to car accidents, Virginia is considered an at-fault state. This means, in most cases, the insurance company of the driver who caused the accident must pay for damages that occurred to both cars and any medical bills resulting from the crash.
Determining Fault After a Virginia Car Accident Can Be Complex
Determining who is at fault in a Virginia car accident can have an impact on your potential damages. If you wrongly admit fault, your insurance premiums may rise, or you may even be unable to seek coverage. In some cases, the other driver may seek damages from you directly, which could devastate you financially.
Determining who caused a car accident is not as simple as looking at the accident to see who should have yielded. Road conditions, tire conditions, speed, length of yellow light, and whether the other driver was intoxicated or distracted can all play a part in the determination of fault.
Wrongly admitting fault after a Virginia car accident can impact your life for years to come. We recommend that you do not accept or admit fault for any part of the car accident and that you refer anyone who asks about the fault to your lawyer.
Steps to Take After Your Virginia Car Accident
Here are the steps you should take after being involved in a Virginia car accident:
- Ensure the safety of everyone involved in the car accident.
- Contact emergency personnel for assistance.
- Take photographs or a video recording of the positions of the vehicles, if possible.
- Note any pain you are in, even if it is minor soreness, and plan to seek medical help as soon as possible. Depending upon the injury, your pain may increase throughout the day.
- Exchange insurance and contact information with the other driver, but do not speculate on what may have happened.
- If you give a report to the police, stick to the facts. Describe what you saw, not why you think it happened. Be as brief as possible.
- If an insurance adjuster for the other driver shows up to the scene of the accident, do not offer a statement.
- Remain on the scene until a police officer indicates you may leave, at which point we recommend you visit your healthcare provider if needed.
Finally, we recommend speaking with a car accident lawyer in Virginia who can explain your legal rights and help you navigate the process.
If You Sustained Injuries in a Virginia Car Accident, Call the Parrish Law Firm, PLLC Today
After years of working for insurance companies, the team at the Parrish Law Firm, PLLC now fights for the rights of injured Virginians. Our experience gives us a deeper insight into how the insurance companies and the legal system works.
We understand the tactics insurance companies use to try to pay victims less than they deserve and how to counteract them. According to the Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles, there were over 130,000 crashes in the state in 2018. If you were a victim of such an accident, call us today.
Before you admit fault for a car accident in Virginia, call us today for a free consultation at (571) 229-1800. You may have a limited time to act under VA § 8.01-243.
Call or Text 571-229-1800 or Complete a Free Case Evaluation form
