Most people expect honesty from others, especially after a traumatic event like a car accident. Unfortunately, after causing a crash, some drivers may lie about what happened and try to shift the blame onto you. 

Dealing with a dishonest driver can be frustrating, leaving you confused and feeling exploited. A lying at-fault driver can also make it difficult for you to recover compensation for your injuries. Alabama’s strict contributory negligence bars you from seeking a settlement if you’re even 1% at fault.

If you’re in an accident and the other driver lies about what happened, you can protect your rights with a few steps. Our  Alabama car accident lawyers at The Vance Law Firm Injury Lawyers can help you collect evidence to show what really happened and win you fair compensation.

Steps to Take at the Scene of an Accident

When a driver lies about an accident to insurers or police, it can be for many reasons. They could be in denial about their actions, want to avoid financial liability, or be unlicensed and fear legal consequences.

Regardless of the other driver’s reasons, if they are being untruthful about what happened, take the following steps:

• Keep Calm: Maintain your composure, no matter the other driver’s claims. This helps you control the situation and effectively collect evidence.

• Seek Medical Attention: Visit a doctor for your injuries and secure a copy of your medical records. These documents help prove your injuries and their connection to the accident.

• Get a Police Report: The police at the scene will make a report detailing the event, including each driver’s account and traffic citations. Get a copy of this report to help you refute any false claims made by the other driver.

• Get Contact Information: Exchange names, driver’s licenses, and insurance details with the other driver. If they refuse or seem dishonest, note their vehicle’s make, model, and license plate so the police or your attorney can track them down later.

• Gather Evidence at the Scene: Document as much of the accident scene as possible. Take photos and videos of the damage, the road conditions, and traffic signs or debris that might prove the other driver was lying.

• Ask for Witness Statements: If anyone saw the accident, get their contact information. Their testimony can support your case by highlighting inconsistencies in the other driver’s story.

Documenting Inconsistencies

If the at-fault driver lied, work with your attorney to find and document inconsistencies in their story. Notify law enforcement and insurance companies promptly to prove your perspective and highlight the other driver’s liability.

Look for the following inconsistencies in documentation:

• Mismatched Accident Details: Compare the other driver’s account of the accident with the police report, witness statements, and your recollection. Look for differences in the sequence of events, the speed estimates, and the descriptions of road conditions.

• Inconsistencies in Damage Reports: Examine the vehicle damage and photos or videos taken at the scene. The type and location of damage can sometimes contradict the other driver’s version of events.

• Discrepancies in Injury Claims: Review medical reports and injury claims made by the at-fault driver. Compare these claims with the severity of the accident and the physical evidence to identify any exaggerations or fabrications.

• Varied Statements Over Time: Pay attention to changes in the other driver’s story across different reports and statements. They may alter their account, so comparing initial statements with later ones can reveal discrepancies.

• Contradictions With Physical Evidence: Match the other driver’s story against physical evidence, such as skid marks, debris, and the final positions of the vehicles. This evidence can often directly refute false claims about how the accident happened.

Seek Legal Help

Proving you were not responsible for the accident can be challenging, especially without experienced help. The knowledgeable auto accident attorneys at The Vance Law Firm Injury Lawyers can protect your interests and help prove the other driver’s liability. We offer the following services:

• Assistance With Evidence Gathering: Our auto accident attorneys have the resources and experience to collect evidence efficiently. We can help you obtain witness statements, access surveillance footage, and hire accident reconstruction experts to support your claim.

• Legal Advocacy: Above all else, our team is on your side. We know Alabama law and can help you explore all available legal options in your case.

• Maximize Compensation: Our lawyers will work tirelessly to assess the full extent of your damages, prove the other driver is at fault, and obtain the compensation you deserve through negotiation or litigation.

Get Representation From Knowledgeable Lawyers Today

When dealing with a dishonest or inconsistent party, you need someone you can trust on your side. The team at The Vance Law Firm Injury Lawyers provides the legal representation you need to protect your rights and secure compensation. Contact us for a free case evaluation.