After a car accident, saying “sorry” might be your natural reaction in the moment. However, that single word can have major legal consequences. In fact, many people do not realize how one word could hurt your legal case until it is too late. Learning how to handle these situations is important for protecting your rights. If you have been involved in a collision, speaking with experienced Rolling Meadows, IL car accident lawyers can help you avoid costly mistakes and protect your right to full compensation.
Why Saying “Sorry” Can Be Seen as Admitting Fault
You might think that apologizing after a crash is good manners, but it may be taken as an admission of guilt when you are trying to recover damages. Illinois follows a modified comparative negligence rule under 735 ILCS 5/2-1116. This means that you cannot collect damages if you are more than 50 percent responsible for the crash. Even if you are less than 50 percent at fault, your compensation is typically reduced by your percentage of responsibility. A simple apology could be used as proof that you accepted blame, even if you were only trying to show concern.