Memory is a tricky thing. While people like to believe they can accurately recount a specific series of events, it is not so easy. When those events are attached to a trauma, like a car accident, the memories are even less reliable.
Because people crave connection, it is not uncommon to seek out friendship and family after a traumatic event, to confide in loved ones. Unfortunately, as your mind pieces the events together, it can also embellish or manifest, meaning the story you tell is not what happened — at least not entirely.
The unreliability of memory is the main reason a car accident lawyer like one from John K. Zaid & Associates encourages clients to keep their stories to themselves, especially any detailed accounts that might differ from official reports. Insurance companies and at-fault drivers want accident victims to muck up the facts, and it is an added benefit if the victim takes some of the blame in the process.
Stay Off of Social Media
While rehashing events with friends and family is frowned upon and can hurt your case, it is even worse to post about your experience on social media platforms. Posting creates a digital record of your account. If the details in your digital retelling do not match those in your official police statement or the accident report, you hurt your claim.
Keep in mind, an insurance company likely has a team of lawyers and paralegals scouring your personal life to find anything that can help reduce or eliminate its liability in your accident claim. Your friends, family, and social media are fair game.
Stick to the Facts
If you must tell someone about what happened, stick to the facts. You can state the where and when an accident happened, but do not refer to the how. For example, you can tell family and friends that you were in an accident on Tuesday morning at a specific intersection, but do not say much, if anything, else.
If your family asks about injuries, tell them you are receiving the medical treatment necessary and following the doctor’s orders. Refrain from getting too specific or saying you are feeling fine because an insurance company can take these words out of context to imply there is nothing really wrong with you.
After an accident, the best advice is not to speak about the incident to anyone except your attorney. If you do not yet have a car accident lawyer, contact a few local law firms and schedule consultations.
