Avoid giving recorded statements without preparation, admitting any fault, speculating, or downplaying your injuries. Do not volunteer excessive personal history or discuss your emotional state casually. Never accept the first settlement offer immediately, as it is often a starting point for negotiation. Politely decline to answer questions you are unsure about and avoid saying “I’m fine” as this can be misconstrued. Stick to the basic facts of the incident.

To succeed, you typically must prove four key elements. First, the product had a defect (in manufacturing, design, or warnings). Second, the defect existed when it left the defendant’s control. Third, you used the product in a reasonably foreseeable way. Fourth, the defect directly caused your injury. You do not need to prove the company was negligent, only that the defect made the product unreasonably dangerous. This “strict liability” focus is on the product’s condition, not the manufacturer’s conduct.

Ensure everyone’s safety and call for emergency services if there are injuries. Do not admit fault or make statements about who caused the incident. Your priority is to secure the scene to prevent further harm. Once safe, you can begin gathering information. Anything you say in the immediate aftermath can be used later, so stick to factual observations and cooperate with authorities without speculating on blame.