Should you or they apologize? It's not always so simple.

I was rear-ended when driving on the motorway. Fortunately I was too shocked to say much.

I thought I was at fault. May I was too slow, maybe I drifted into the other lane as a car was trying to overtake?

However, the driver of the truck which collected me and my vehicle told me that if the other car hit the back of mine, judging by the damage to the back of my vehicle, it was automatically their fault.

It is also a British, female and personality thing to apologise, even when somebody else steps on your toe.

Afterwards I read through my insurance document and found that it said that at the scene of an accident I should not admit guilt, nor apologise - which the other driver's insurance could take as an admission of guilt and refuse to pay to your insurance company - therefore that invalidate's your insurance and your insurance company will not pay you.

After I received physio for damage to my arm, I thought I was better and signed a document of release. However, I now find that my arm is in pain when carrying a bag.  I blamed the bag, the angle of carrying, all sorts of things. Then I remembered the damage to my arm in the accident.

When you spill somebody else's drink in a pub, it is agood idea to apologise and offer to pay for another drink, even if you think it's not your fault.

On the other hand, in a road traffic accident, your legal obligation is usually to provide your contact details and no more.

I was surprised to read online that you should get seen medically before contacting your insurance company and saying you were fit.

Be aware that at the scene of an accident you will often be asked to go for an immediate medical check. You could have a slow internal bleed and collapse later.

In one accident I had no surface injury and was in a state of shock. A bystander exulted that I had not a scratch on my, no blood, nothing.

Other poeple dashed up and asked how I was.

I said, "I'm fine, thank you."

Then somebody told me to get out of the car. When I tried to get out of the car and realised I could not move. My breathing was shallow and I had damage to ribs.

Websites
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-7549699/Father-British-teen-run-killed-diplomats-wife-
https://www.hg.org/legal-articles/what-not-to-say-to-your-insurance-company-after-an-auto-accident-18067

About the Author
Angela Lansbury, travel writer and photographer, author and speaker. Please share links to your favourite posts.