Should I Talk to the Press After an Accident?
Automobile accidents happen every day and most people don’t even know where and with whom they happen. Every once in a while, however, there is a majorly severe accident that makes local headlines. If you are involved in such an accident, or are close to someone that was involved, you may be contacted by the press to help them gain more insights into the accident and what really happened. Should you talk to the press in the aftermath of a major accident?
The answer is rarely black and white when it comes to matters of the press, but the rule of thumb is that it is a bad idea to respond publicly after an accident. If the event was that major, people on both sides of the legal battlefield will be looking for anything they can get to gain an advantage in the following personal injury claim. Unfortunately, this also means that the opposition will try to use whatever you say against you or your loved one in the case. To play it safe, it is best to keep quiet, as far as the press is considered, after an accident to avoid a slip up that may drastically harm the claim.
There are some, rare situations where it could be advantageous to talk to the press, however. Typically this might be to raise awareness of a public safety issue, such as driving while intoxicated or distracted, or to protect your reputation or the reputation of someone affected by the accident. When doing this, it is important to choose your words carefully and write everything down and proofread it before you say it out loud.
Whether you choose to or not to speak to the press after an accident, it is always a good idea to hire an attorney that you can help manage your image and inform you what might be good or bad to say publicly. At the Franco Law Firm, we’ve dealt with many personal injury cases, both large and small, so we have a very good handle on how to manage a case from all aspects. To learn more about the services we offer, please call (813) 872-0929 and schedule a free consultation with us today!
