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Immediately after an accident, many people instinctively say, “I’m fine” or “I’m not injured.” This response is common – and understandable. Adrenaline, shock, confusion, and a desire to keep things moving often override pain or symptoms in the first moments after an incident.
However, in personal injury claims, what you say immediately after an accident often has lasting consequences. Statements made at the scene are documented, repeated, and later used by employers, insurers, and defense attorneys to dispute your injuries – even when it becomes obvious that you suffered serious injuries days or weeks later.
This article explains what happens legally and medically if you say you are not injured, and how this issue plays out in workplace accidents, refinery incidents, and car or truck crashes. We also explain what to do if you do end up saying you are not injured and why it is not the end of the world for your injury case.
Why People Say They’re Not Injured
There are a myriad of reasons why accident victims minimize or deny injuries at the scene:
- Adrenaline can temporarily mask pain and neurological symptoms
- Soft-tissue injuries, concussions, and internal injuries often have a delayed onset
- Victims may feel pressure from supervisors, the police, or other drivers (this is especially true at work/construction sites)
- People may fear losing their job, being blamed, or just the raw inconvenience of filing a claim
- Many injuries worsen gradually rather than immediately
What is important is that saying you are not injured does not mean you are uninjured.
How That Statement Is Used Against You
When you say “I feel fine” or “No, nothing serious,” that statement appears in:
- Accident reports
- Employer incident logs
- Police reports
- Insurance adjuster notes
- Recorded statements
- Witness testimony
Insurance companies routinely argue that a person who claimed to be uninjured must have either:
- Not been hurt at all, or
- Suffered only minor, unrelated injuries
Even when medical records later confirm injury, insurers may claim your condition arose from something else or was exaggerated after the fact.
Case Example
For example, in the case following the 2019 Exxon Mobile Olefin explosion, a plaintiff was lambasted for providing an initial statement of “not injured” and delaying medical care for over 7 days. However, that plaintiff was ultimately found to have a herniated disk as a result of the explosion, and was compensated. This example shows how responding “not injured” can seriously hurt your case, but consistent medical care can strengthen it.
Workplace Accidents: Why Early Statements Matter
Many employers require prompt injury reporting under internal safety policies or workers’ compensation procedures. If you tell a supervisor you are “okay” or “not hurt,” the incident may be logged as a non-injury event, even if you were injured by equipment failure, a serious fall, or chemical exposure.
Later, when you develop symptoms like back pain, joint damage, nerve injury, or respiratory issues – your employer or insurer may argue:
- The injury was not work-related;
- The injury occurred after the shift;
- The condition is pre-existing; or
- The delay undermines credibility
This is particularly problematic in industrial environments governed by safety frameworks overseen by organizations like the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), where documentation and timelines play a major role in determining liability and benefits.
Refinery and Industrial Accidents: Delayed Injuries Are Common
Refinery accidents and chemical exposure incidents present unique risks because many injuries are not immediately obvious.
After explosions, pressure releases, fires, or toxic exposure, workers may initially feel fine – only to develop symptoms later like:
- Lung damage or chemical pneumonitis
- Neurological symptoms from toxic inhalation
- Burns that worsen over time
- Musculoskeletal injuries from blast force or falls
- Psychological trauma, including post-traumatic stress
If a worker states they are not injured at the scene, companies may attempt to characterize the event as a “near miss” rather than an injury incident. This can limit access to medical care, workers’ compensation benefits, and evidence needed for third-party injury claims.
Car and Truck Accidents: Insurance Uses Your Words
In motor vehicle crashes, statements made at the scene are the most frequently cited piece of evidence used by insurance companies to reduce or deny claims.
After a car or truck accident, it is common for drivers or passengers to say they are “not hurt” while exchanging information or speaking with police. Often, drivers find themselves in shock and don’t realize they’ve broken bones, sprained muscles or otherwise injured themselves. This is especially true in rear-end collisions, commercial truck crashes, or multi-vehicle incidents where injuries such as whiplash, disc herniations, or concussions may not present immediately.
Insurance adjusters may later argue:
- The crash was too minor to cause injury
- Your injuries developed later and are unrelated
- You contradicted yourself by seeking care days later
The truth is that even small “fender-benders” can result in serious spinal or cranial damage if you’re not prepared.
Can I Still File a Claim If I Said I Wasn’t Injured?
Absolutely, yes. Saying you are not injured does not automatically prevent you from pursuing a valid injury claim, and it does not mean you were not injured. However, it can make the process more challenging.
To overcome an early denial of injury, claims often rely on:
- Prompt medical evaluation once symptoms appear
- Consistent medical documentation
- Expert medical testimony explaining delayed symptoms
- Accident reconstruction or workplace safety evidence
- Witness statements supporting the severity of the incident
The earlier medical care begins, the easier it is to connect your injuries to the accident – despite what was said at the scene.
So What Should I Say Instead?
You are not required to diagnose yourself at the scene of an accident. A safer and more accurate response is to say:
- “I don’t know yet.”
- “I want to be checked by a medical professional.”
- “I may be injured, but I need medical evaluation.”
These statements are truthful and do not prematurely rule out injuries that may develop later. Additionally, you should decline to answer any questions about your medical wellbeing on the record with an insurance agent.
Why Medical Evaluation Is Critical
Seeking medical attention after any significant accident protects both your health and your legal rights. Many serious injuries – including spinal injuries, brain injuries, and chemical exposure effects – are time-sensitive and worsen without treatment.
Medical records created shortly after the accident establish a clear timeline that connects your injuries to the incident, regardless of what was said in the immediate aftermath.
Final Takeaway
Saying “I’m not injured” after an accident is one of the most common – and most damaging – mistakes injury victims make. While it does not eliminate your right to compensation, it can be used to challenge your credibility, delay benefits, and reduce the value of your claim. However, remember that you still have options, even if you’ve already made a statement to that effect. Whether the accident occurs at work, at a refinery, or on the road, the safest approach is to avoid definitive statements, seek medical evaluation, document symptoms as they arise, and be consistent with your medical care.
If you have been seriously injured in a car accident, refinery explosion or chemical exposure incident, you need to contact an experienced attorney immediately. The Law Offices of Hilda Sibrian have served Houston for over 21 years, providing legal representation to those injured. Hilda Sibrian has an extensive medical background, which she uses to fight for your deserved compensation for medical expenses.
Hilda Sibrian serves the Houston metropolitan area, including Sugar Land, Missouri City, La Porte, Beaumont, Pasadena, The Woodlands, The Heights, Bellaire, Kingwood, Baytown and of course Houston proper. Call our office today at 713-714-1414 or fill out our online contact form for a free consultation.
