What if My Statements at the Scene of an Accident Don’t Match What Happened?
Shocking situations jolt us. When we find ourselves in unexpected circumstances, we often react in surprising ways. Sometimes we utter things that do not necessarily reflect what we were actually meant to say or saw or were thinking. Words simply spill out of the mouth as an expression of nearly subconscious reaction. In the case of an auto accident, our immediate reaction to what is happening around us is colored by the violent impact of what just came before. If you have found yourself in a situation where, after a car accident, you say something with regard to how you are feeling, or what you are seeing, which does not accurately reflect how you were feeling or what you were seeing, you need an auto accident attorney or personal injury lawyer to represent you. Should you find yourself embroiled in any kind of litigation because of the accident, whether initiated by you or an opposing party, you can be sure that if the opposing side heard you make any contradictory statements, it will be brought up and severely weaken your case, unless you have a good personal injury lawyer to defend your accurate reflection of events, and not just your shocked utterances.
To give you an example of this type of scenario, let’s say Plaintiff A gets into an accident with Defendant B. Plaintiff A was driving down the street when Defendant B tried to pull out of a parking lot, and without looking, smashed into Plaintiff A’s car. Both parties got out of their vehicles and Defendant B asks Plaintiff A if he is alright. Plaintiff A says, “Yes, totally fine. I’m not hurt.” However, Plaintiff A, after an hour or so, discovers striking pains throughout his back, and it turns out there is tissue damage, amongst other complications as a result of the accident. Defendant B will surely try to bring up Plaintiff A’s statement that he was “totally fine” and “not hurt” as evidence that the damages Plaintiff A is seeking for medical bills and personal injury are either exaggerated or outright false. Plaintiff A, without proper legal representation, could find himself losing damages owed because of these contradictory statements. Here, you can see how a personal injury lawyer with relevant trial experience would come in extremely handy.
We don’t always say what we mean but that doesn’t help us when we find ourselves in situations that examine accuracy, word for word statements, and will use any hint of ambivalence or contradiction against us. Having a good personal injury lawyer or car accident attorney at your side to guide you and protect you can save you untold amounts of money, time, energy, and resources. A good trial lawyer will know how to handle these sticky situations, allowing you to explain your side of the story so that any apparent contradiction is cleared and explained away, or will even find a way to prevent any question from being asked at all, if the situation calls for it. When you meet your personal injury lawyer, make sure you provide him or her with all necessary documents related to the accident, especially and including your medical records. With smart preparation and a great lawyer at your side, accidental contradictions need not derail your case, and the compensation owed to you. For a consultation on your case, please contact California Attorney Group and speak with a well-reputed, experienced personal injury lawyer, who knows how to handle the battlefield that is trial.
