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Is Apologizing After a Car Accident Admitting Fault?

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Kantrowitz, Goldhamer, Graifman, Perlmutter & Carballo, P.C.

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Written/Reviewed By:

Barry S. Kantrowitz, Esq.

Last Updated: Jun 12, 2026

Read Time: 3 mins

Yes, when someone apologizes after a car accident, it can be interpreted as an admission of fault. This could affect a car accident settlement offer from an insurance company or the outcome of a personal injury lawsuit. Because of this, you will often hear car accident lawyers advise their clients to avoid this. At Kantrowitz, Goldhamer, Graifman, Perlmutter & Carballo, P.C., our legal team advises our clients to be mindful of what they say and do following a wreck because these seemingly minor actions could have significant consequences.

How can an apology be used against you?

There are a few issues to consider here—one of these concerns the insurance company. Even if you choose to work with a personal injury lawyer to secure maximum compensation for your accident-related losses, you might not necessarily need to file a lawsuit. Instead, your lawyer will negotiate with the insurance carrier to obtain the highest possible settlement for you.

However, it’s essential to keep in mind that insurance companies are in business to make money. It isn’t in their best interests to extend fair settlement offers. Instead, they will use many different strategies to claim that you were the at-fault driver so that they can lower their payouts. If the other driver reports that you apologized after the accident, the insurance company will seize on this as an admission of fault, thereby shifting liability to you.

Another issue to consider is that it may indeed become necessary to file a lawsuit. There’s a good chance your apology will figure heavily into your personal injury lawsuit. It may jeopardize your case and your chances of recovering compensation for your losses. Apologizing may seem ethical, but keep in mind that an accident occurs in the blink of an eye. It’s not always possible for one driver to fully ascertain the causes of the crash at that moment. However, it’s certainly possible that the other driver was behaving negligently or recklessly and did indeed contribute to the crash.

What to say and what not to say

Along with “I’m sorry,” you shouldn’t say anything else that might be misinterpreted as an admission of fault. For example, avoid saying things like, “I didn’t see you there,” or “I just looked down for a second– the crash happened so fast.” In fact, it’s best to avoid discussing it at all with the other driver. Instead, you can ask if everyone is alright and let them know you called 911. If they ask if you’re okay, avoid saying you feel fine, even if it’s true. You may have injuries and not know it, as adrenaline can mask pain.

Consult the car accident lawyers in New York and New Jersey for a free consultation

If you or a loved one were involved in a car accident in Rockland County, New York, or Bergen County, New Jersey, you can turn to the experienced legal team at the law office of Kantrowitz, Goldhamer, Graifman, Perlmutter & Carballo, P.C. for guidance you can trust. Our car accident law firm has a wealth of experience working with car accident victims and has been securing sizable settlements and jury awards since 1975.

With the resources of a large law firm and the personal touch and attentiveness of a boutique firm, we’re the trusted team you can count on. Call our office today to request your free, no-obligation case review.

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   LWelsh 
 2 days ago
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Clever and efficient.
  
 
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   Kenny Perlow 
 23 days ago
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. KGG Law, and Barry Kantrowitz in particular, set the bar high for what a thorough, practical, strategic, compassionate and smart lawyer can be. Everything about Barry's advice and representation was exemplary and the stress mitigation that resulted was invaluable. On top of that, the ultimate result Barry achieved was beyond what was reasonable to expect and we are forever grateful. Often, people say that you hire a lawyer to prevent a problem. Sometimes, unfortunately, you need an attorney to solve a problem and I could not recommend Barry and his firm any more highly in that regard.
  
 
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   Aliza Ali 
 87 days ago
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. My dad had a great experience with this law firm. From the very beginning, the team was professional, knowledgeable, and always willing to answer our questions. They kept us informed throughout the entire process and made what could have been a very stressful situation much easier to handle. We truly appreciated their dedication, honesty, and hard work. Thanks to their support, my dad felt confident every step of the way. We are very grateful for everything they did and would highly recommend this firm to anyone looking for reliable legal representation.
  
 
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   Jana Montero 
 90 days ago
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. I had a wonderful experience working with Sam Smith. He was very responsive, thorough, and easy to work with from start to finish. He walked me through everything clearly and made what started as a very stressful situation for me into something completely manageable. I would not hesitate to recommend him and the firm!
  
 
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   Mike Sakmann 
 96 days ago
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. I sought legal advice regarding an employment matter and had an excellent experience working with Sam Smith, Esq. at KGG Law. Sam was thorough, attentive, and took the time to listen carefully to my concerns before providing clear, thoughtful guidance. I appreciated the professionalism and care shown throughout the process, and I would confidently recommend KGG Law to anyone in need of legal assistance.
  
 
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   Liz Hecker 
 102 days ago
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. I can't say enough about this firm. They manage to comfort you during the whole legal process while staying professional and doing what is right. I would recommend them to anyone and also hire them again if I need legal help.
  
 
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   Brandy Miller 
 125 days ago
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Kate is the best. She helped me very quickly, and was very attentive with all of my needs. So thankful for her
  
 
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   Mike Greenspan 
 138 days ago
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Kate Carballo is a dedicated, passionate, and creative attorney whom I had the pleasure to lecture with at a state trial lawyer's conference. Kate's lecture demonstrated how she uses her innovative and "out-of-the-box thinking" to achieve outstanding results for her injured clients. That Kate is certified by the Supreme Court of New Jersey as a civil trial attorney is a testament to her skills, experience and commitment to excellence.
  
 
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   Jonathan Sampson 
 145 days ago
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Was referred to KGG law by a friend and could not have asked for better legal representation. They walked me through every step of the process after my accident and began every call with “ how are you feeling” which was just one example of how much they care about their clients. They handled my case very efficiently, professionally and courteously. My attorney Kate Carballo was a rock star! So clearly experienced, she consistently made me feel at ease with the process. Highly recommend
  
 
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   Vinnie Kung 
 148 days ago
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. We had a great experience with the team at KGG Law. While it was a traumatic time for our family, they made it very easy for us and explained all of our options. They even performed due diligence to make sure that after our settlement, there would be no further issues which I think is even more important than the settlement itself. Thank you!

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