A car accident can be traumatic for anyone. On top of that, you might feel victimized if the other driver lies about what happened. If you tell conflicting stories, the insurance company might take its policyholder’s side. That’s because insurers want to pay as little as possible during injury claims.
You don’t have to accept your denied claim and pay for your accident-related expenses out of pocket. There are options for disputing the at-fault driver’s lies and proving they should be financially responsible for your injuries.
Can You Sue The Other Driver for Lying About a Car Accident?
You can file a lawsuit against the other driver if you believe they are at fault. They might lie to avoid liability. Their insurance carrier might take their statement as fact and deny your claim.
You don’t have to accept the denial. Prompt action is crucial to prove that the other driver is at fault and that the insurance company should pay. If you don’t advocate for yourself, you could face liability for what happened.
What To Do If the Other Driver is Lying
If the other driver lies about the accident, you should follow multiple steps, including:
- Hire an attorney – Hire a lawyer immediately to represent you in your case. You can contest the insurance company’s decision. Your attorney can initiate a lawsuit to start the process. They will obtain evidence to establish liability and might try to negotiate a settlement with the insurer. Sometimes, insurance companies change their decision after a lawsuit gets filed to avoid going to trial.
- Obtain evidence – You might overhear the other motorist lying to the investigating police officer at the crash scene. You can dispute their version of events by gathering evidence. Take pictures of the vehicle damage, the position of each car, skid marks, traffic signs, and road conditions. You can also speak to witnesses and get their names and phone numbers. They might be able to testify on your behalf in court. Survey your surroundings for traffic and security cameras. You can inform your attorney so they can request the footage. It might have recorded the collision.
- Dispute the police report – You can request a copy of the report the investigating officer wrote when it’s available. If you see inaccurate information, you have a right to dispute it. Law enforcement creates reports based on each driver’s statement, witness accounts, and the officer’s observations and opinions. The report isn’t necessarily factual or valuable evidence in an injury claim. However, it carries significant weight when an insurance carrier reviews a claim. If the officer determined you were at fault, the insurer has what they need to justify denying your claim.
Read more: How To Respond If Your Car Accident Report Is Incorrect
Can You Sue The Other Driver for Filing a False Police Report?
Yes. You could file a lawsuit against the at-fault driver if they filed a false police report. However, proving it will be a challenge. Sometimes, people make mistakes. Your best recourse might be to seek compensation by proving they are at fault for the car crash.
The other motorist can face criminal penalties if convicted of filing false documents. It is a serious crime in Georgia that can lead to a fine of up to $10,000 and between one and ten years in prison.
State law prohibits a person from knowingly entering, recording, or filing any document in a court or public record knowing or having a reason to know the document is false or includes a materially fraudulent, fictitious, or false representation or statement. It is also unlawful to cover up, alter, create, or conceal a document and file, record, or enter it in a public record or court while knowing or having a reason to know that it contains a materially false, fraudulent, or fictitious statement or representation.
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How to Request an Amendment to a Police Report
If you notice an error on the police report, you can request an amendment. Hiring an attorney is beneficial in this situation. They can file a request for amendment and submit evidence that disproves the information gathered by the investigating officer.
Contact an Experienced Car Accident Attorney
If the other driver lied about the circumstances of a car accident, contact Chris Hudson Law Group immediately. You can fight back to hold them liable for your injuries and recover the money owed to you. Don’t let them take advantage of the situation to avoid accepting liability for their misconduct.
Let our Augusta car accident lawyers help you in the fight for justice. Call us at (706) 863-6600 for a free consultation to get started. We’re available 24/7 to speak with you about your case.
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