Sometimes the driver who caused the crash may decide to lie to the police and his or her insurance company. He or she is hoping to avoid being held financially liable for the damages caused by the crash. At-fault drivers also want to avoid receiving a traffic citation for breaking traffic laws.
The at-fault driver’s insurance company is likely going to believe what their policyholder has to say. When the victim of a crash seeks compensation from another driver’s insurance company, that company is going to look for some reason to deny or underpay the claim. Insurance companies may view statements made by their policyholder as a great reason for devaluing or even denying a claim.
Victims of these crashes need to contact an experienced lawyer to help them disprove the at-fault driver’s lies. Victims need a lawyer who has the resources and legal knowledge to investigate the crash and gather the necessary evidence.
At Greg Monforton and Partners, we have been advocating for victims of vehicle crashes for decades, recovering millions in compensation. If you have questions after getting injured in a crash, we are ready to take your call to explain how we may be able to assist you. If you hire our firm, there are no upfront fees.
What Might an At-Fault Driver Lie About?
The driver who caused your crash might lie about what he or she was doing in the moments before the collision. For example, the driver may lie about having run through a red light or stop sign without coming to a complete stop. Drivers may also lie about:
- Distractions that caused them to lose focus on driving (texting, talking to passengers, eating, grooming, etc.)
- Feeling fatigued behind the wheel
- Tailgating you and not having enough time to slow down or stop
- Impairment from alcohol or drugs
At-fault drivers could not only lie about what they were doing before the crash, but also what you were doing before the crash. They may claim you were doing the things they themselves were doing:
- Reckless driving
- Speeding
- Not paying attention
- Running through a red light
- Violating right-of-way laws
Sometimes at-fault drivers do not lie but they omit important facts. For example, the at-fault driver may want to cover up the fact his or her vehicle had a problem that contributed to the crash. The at-fault driver’s vehicle may have had problems with its:
- Brakes
- Headlights
- Taillights
- Engine
- Steering
- Windshield wipers
- Tires
Sometimes at-fault drivers know about a mechanical issue and choose not to get it fixed. If the crash victim’s lawyer can prove a mechanical issue contributed to the crash, and the driver knew about it, the driver may be held liable for damages.
Why Do At-Fault Drivers Lie?
On some level, at-fault drivers think they can get away with it. They may think if they can simply be more assertive than you about their account of the crash, you will agree with them. The at-fault driver may think you are unsure of what happened and if he or she can come up with a story that seems plausible, you will agree.
Victims of crashes sometimes feel the need to apologize to the other driver, even if the victim did not do anything wrong. Unscrupulous at-fault drivers may take this apology and run with it, claiming the victim admitted fault. These drivers will conveniently leave out details that would incriminate them.
How Should Victims Respond if the At-Fault Driver Lies?
It is understandable for victims to get angry at at-fault drivers who they think are lying. Victims may have strong reasons to believe this other person is to blame. Sometimes at-fault drivers get extremely angry with the victim, which can be infuriating.
However, getting angry with the at-fault driver will not do you any good. When the police arrive, they will take statement from each driver individually. The important thing is to tell the officer what you remember. If you have good reason to suspect the other driver is at fault, tell the officer why you think so.
You may also want to take a few moments soon after the crash to take notes about what happened, so you do not forget. You could also record a video of yourself.
When possible, victims should take pictures of the damaged vehicles, their injuries and anything else they may think is relevant.
Staying consistent in your statements about the crash is vital to the success of your claim. That is why after talking to the police, you should seriously consider finding an experienced lawyer to help you. A lawyer can talk to the insurance company on your behalf, helping to ensure your account of the crash is consistent. If you talk to the insurance company multiple times, you may inadvertently make inconsistent statements. This could hurt your credibility, making it harder to recover full compensation for your damages.
The longer you wait to contact a lawyer, the longer it will take him or her to investigate the crash. As time passes, evidence can be lost, which can make it harder for the lawyer to build a strong case. For example, the scene may get cleaned up by the police.
Even if you do not think you need a lawyer, calling a lawyer can be important. You might be wrong, but if you are not wrong, it should give you peace of mind to know you are handling your claim appropriately.
Contact an Experienced Lawyer for Help
Were you injured by another driver’s negligence?
Compensation for your damages may be available, even if the at-fault driver lies about what happened. Our Windsor car accident lawyers are ready to assist you in proving your claim and securing full compensation.
We do not charge upfront fees for our services and there are no fees while we are working on your claim.
Contact Us. We are ready to take your call: (866) 320-4770.