What Happens If the At-Fault Driver Lies About a Car Accident?
After a car accident, you expect both drivers to tell the truth about what happened. Unfortunately, that is not always the case.
An at-fault driver may deny responsibility, change their story, claim you caused the crash, or provide an inaccurate version of events to the police or insurance company. When that happens, an already stressful situation can quickly become even more frustrating.
If another driver lies about a car accident in Ohio, however, their version of events does not automatically determine who is responsible. Evidence matters.
At Zaber Law, we help injured accident victims in Cleveland and throughout Northeast Ohio understand their rights and navigate disputes involving fault, insurance companies, and personal injury claims.
Why Would an At-Fault Driver Lie About an Accident?
There are several reasons someone might try to shift blame after causing a collision. They may be worried about increased insurance premiums, receiving a traffic citation, losing their driver’s license, or being held financially responsible for the damage they caused.
Some drivers may also simply believe that if there are two different stories, the insurance company cannot prove what actually happened.
Fortunately, determining fault usually involves much more than asking each driver for their side of the story.
Evidence Can Tell a Different Story
When drivers disagree about how a crash occurred, evidence becomes especially important.
Depending on the circumstances, evidence may include:
- Photos and videos from the accident scene
- Vehicle damage and the location of impact
- Dashcam footage
- Traffic or surveillance camera footage
- Statements from independent witnesses
- Police reports
- Skid marks and debris
- Cell phone records
- Medical records documenting injuries
- Accident reconstruction evidence in serious or complex crashes
For example, imagine another driver runs a red light and hits your vehicle but later claims you were the one who entered the intersection illegally. Footage from a nearby business, a traffic camera, or another driver’s dashcam could potentially contradict that story.
This is one reason gathering evidence as soon as possible after an Ohio car accident can be so important.
What If the Police Report Is Wrong?
Police officers typically arrive at an accident scene after the collision has already occurred. They must piece together what happened using driver statements, witness accounts, physical evidence, and other available information.
A police report can be important evidence, but it does not necessarily have the final word on liability.
If the other driver provides false or misleading information, inaccuracies could potentially appear in the initial report. If you believe a police report contains an error, talk with your attorney about the situation. Additional evidence may help clarify what actually happened.
What If the Insurance Company Believes the Other Driver?
Insurance companies conduct their own investigations when determining liability. Unfortunately, disputes over fault can complicate or delay a personal injury claim.
An insurance adjuster may ask questions, request a recorded statement, review vehicle damage, examine photographs, speak with witnesses, or analyze medical documentation.
Remember that the other driver’s insurance company is not representing you. Its interests may be very different from yours.
Before giving detailed statements, signing documents, or accepting a settlement after a serious accident, consider speaking with an Ohio personal injury attorney about your rights.
Ohio’s Comparative Negligence Law Can Make Fault Especially Important
Ohio follows a modified comparative negligence system.
Under Ohio law, an injured person may generally recover damages as long as their percentage of fault is not greater than the combined fault of the other parties. However, compensation can be reduced according to the injured person’s percentage of responsibility.
That means an argument over whether you were 10%, 30%, or 60% responsible for a collision can have a significant impact on your ability to recover compensation.
If an at-fault driver falsely tries to shift responsibility onto you, challenging that version of events may therefore be extremely important.
What Should You Do If the Other Driver Is Lying?
If you believe another driver is being dishonest about your accident, avoid getting into an argument with them. Instead, focus on preserving evidence.
Take photographs of the vehicles, roadway, traffic signals, signs, debris, skid marks, and surrounding area when it is safe to do so. Get contact information from witnesses and save any dashcam footage you have.
Seek appropriate medical attention for your injuries and keep records related to your treatment, missed work, expenses, and other losses.
Most importantly, avoid trying to fight an insurance company on your own when significant injuries or disputed liability are involved.
Injured in a Cleveland Car Accident? Zaber Law Can Help
Someone else’s story does not erase the evidence.
If you were injured in a car accident and the other driver is denying responsibility or trying to blame you, Zaber Law can investigate the circumstances of the crash, evaluate available evidence, communicate with insurance companies, and help protect your rights.
If you’ve been injured in a car accident in Cleveland or elsewhere in Northeast Ohio, contact Zaber Law to discuss your case and learn more about your legal options.
