Motorists should avoid saying one particular word if they ever find themselves in a car accident, as it could cost them thousands of pounds. BBC star Rebecca Mason, a former police detective who suffered a head-on crash with another vehicle, draws from her experience to outline six crucial steps to take if you ever find yourself in such a situation.
Rebecca admitted she was “very lucky” during her incident and escaped with just cuts and bruises. However, she also noted that the on-scene witnesses were vital as she would not have known what “actually happened” without them. Undoubtedly, road traffic accidents can be disorienting for those involved, meaning we may not think clearly in the aftermath and could make unwise choices.
On this topic, Rebecca revealed a word that you should avoid saying, as it could be an “admission of guilt,” even though many of us tend to automatically say it regardless of who is at fault.
She wrote: “Be mindful of what you say at the scene—both to the other driver and to people around you. It might feel natural to apologise, even if it’s not your fault, but saying ‘I’m sorry’ can sometimes be taken as an admission of guilt.”
The RAC echoes this, stating that apologising after the incident can be viewed as an “admission of liability.” It advises people not to say anything that could result in this and to allow the insurance companies to settle the matter.
It adds that you should also be wary of saying you aren’t hurt, as some injuries can take time to present themselves. The motoring body urged people to remain calm and handle the practicalities, but “nothing more.”
Rebecca’s other tips included stopping, checking for injuries and calling 999, swapping contact information, taking photos, making notes, and checking for dashcam footage.
Similarly, the RAC has provided a list of actions you should take after a road accident. Firstly, stop the car as soon as possible; remember that driving away is a criminal offence.
Next, switch off your engine, turn on your hazard lights, and check yourself and your passengers for any injuries. Then, check everyone else involved.
Call 999 or use an SOS phone to summon an ambulance if anyone is injured, or the police if the road is obstructed, you suspect drink or drugs, or if the accident was intentional.
Take all passengers and pets to a safe location (unless injuries prevent this), and exchange information with the other people involved in the incident (this should include name, address, and registration number).
Finally, reiterating earlier advice, the RAC urged people not to apologise or admit fault, noting that this could be used against them and result in their claim becoming invalid.
