7 Things You Shouldn't Say Right After an Accident

After an accident, many people instinctively say 'sorry' or 'excuse me,' or even 'I apologize.' However, saying 'sorry' or similar phrases may be interpreted as a sign of guilt—after all, we typically say 'sorry' only after making a mistake.

Beyond potentially being seen as a sign of guilt, saying 'sorry' can also confuse your role in the accident. For instance, if you are simply a passenger in a vehicle that was hit and you say you feel 'sorry' when questioned, you may be interrogated about why you said that.

Our advice is to wait until the police have completed their investigation and determined who is responsible before deciding whether to say 'sorry.'

Traffic accidents often occur because we are not fully focused on the road conditions. This means that we frequently cannot completely understand the reasons for an accident happening. When questioned by the police, starting a sentence with 'I think' can lead to being judged as unaware of the actual circumstances of the accident.

For example, if you rear-end the vehicle in front of you and then say, 'I think they hit the brakes,' this uncertain tone might be interpreted by insurance companies and the police as 'the driver had already stopped the car, but you didn't notice, so you couldn't react in time.' Your insurance company may have sufficient grounds to deny your claim—because you weren't paying attention to the road while driving, you would be responsible for the accident.

Therefore, if you have any uncertainties, you should state them clearly and tell the officer, 'I'm not sure,' to ensure you receive a fair judgment. Of course, do not lie! If you provide false information, the insurance company could also deny your claim.

After an accident, due to the rise in adrenaline, we often cannot immediately recognize injuries to our bodies, especially soft tissue damage. If you tell the police or the first responders, 'I am not injured' or 'I'm fine,' this will be recorded. Even if a doctor later diagnoses you with a back injury from the accident, some insurance companies may deny your claim based on your earlier statement that you were not injured.

On the other hand, if you believe you may have sustained injuries from the accident, make sure to see a doctor first before providing information to the insurance company. To ensure a smooth claims process, it's best to consult a doctor within the insurance company's network, because you then will not need to find another doctor and can avoid additional claims procedures or delays. This advice applies to injuries that are not immediately noticeable, not to serious external injuries.

According to statistics, many fraudulent claims involve individuals claiming neck injuries. While neck injuries are indeed a common consequence of traffic accidents—caused by sudden external forces affecting the head or upper body during the incident—if you file a claim with your insurance company for this reason, you can be sure they will pay special attention to your case.

If you believe you have a neck injury, remember to see a doctor as soon as possible for a diagnosis and obtain a medical certificate to submit to your insurance company for your claim.

Many car owners enhance their vehicles' character or improve handling by adding various parts. These aftermarket components can boost performance, enhance aesthetics, or increase cabin comfort. However, it's important to note that many private car insurance plans in Hong Kong do not cover these added parts.

This means that if you add body kits, lower the chassis, install a turbocharger, or even modify the engine control unit, the insurance company is likely to not compensate for any damages to these parts. This is because your private car insurance plan is based on the manufacturer's specifications, and all aftermarket components are not covered.

Therefore, you must carefully review your insurance terms. Some plans may allow limited coverage for modifications, while others may not allow any modifications at all.

If you are a ride-sharing driver and do not hold a valid license, your private car insurance is likely to be considered invalid in the event of an accident due to risk issues.

As a 'regular' driver, you probably spend no more than two hours in your car each day. However, if you are a ride-sharing driver, the time you spend in your car will increase significantly. The longer you drive on the road, the greater the chance of an accident. Standard private car insurance does not cover this risk. Therefore, if the insured vehicle is used for earning income, the insurance company has the right to deny coverage. Once your private car insurance becomes invalid, it is equivalent to driving a vehicle illegally; you could face criminal prosecution and may need to compensate for any losses resulting from an accident (if you are found to be at fault).

You should only say this after being diagnosed by a doctor and contacting your insurance company. If you're unsure about the circumstances of the accident or the details that occurred, but you still provide a formal statement to the police, it could significantly affect the case. Especially if you are found to have deliberately concealed or omitted certain details of the accident...

When giving your statement to the police, remember that the more details, the better. If there’s anything you’re unsure about, be honest with the officer taking the report. Most importantly, unless you have sufficient evidence, such as dashcam footage or witnesses, you should not blame others or admit to making a mistake.

Car accidents can be categorized into three situations: 'you hit another vehicle/person,' 'another vehicle hit you,' and 'you hit an object.' Regardless of the situation or the severity of the accident, the initial response steps are the same:

1. Stay Calm

This may sound trivial, but many people forget this after an accident, allowing panic or anger to take over, which can lead to poor decisions or make the situation worse.

2. Check for Injuries

Besides checking yourself, look for injuries among passengers. It's important to note that many people may not realize their injuries until days after the accident, so drivers should be cautious. Even minor discomforts, like dizziness, should be reported as injuries. If anyone is injured, call the police immediately.

3. Stop the Car and Exit Safely

Drivers should not move their vehicle to another location unless the scene is dangerous. According to road regulations, you should not move or interfere with vehicles involved in the accident without permission from law enforcement. The driver should stop the vehicle, turn off the engine, engage the parking brake, and once it's safe, exit the car to go to a safe location or stay inside and wait for assistance.