The state of Pennsylvania is a no-fault state. In the event of a crash, all parties involved often recover compensation from their own insurance policies regardless of who was at fault. However, no one is absolved from liability. Establishing fault is important if the crash caused serious injury. You may be able to seek compensation for damages that exceed your personal injury protection (PIP) coverage.
If the driver who caused the accident has lied to avoid responsibility for your damages, it is in your best interest that you speak with an experienced lawyer. He or she can review your situation and help you determine the best course of action to seek compensation for your medical bills and other related losses.
An initial consultation with a member of our legal team is free of charge with no obligation involved. If you have a case, we charge no upfront fees while we work on the case and no fees unless you get paid.
Lies Often Told by Drivers to Deny Liability
It is harder to dispute liability for some accidents compared to others. A driver may have no choice but to admit fault if the evidence against him or her is indisputable. However, there are other cases when an at-fault driver may be adamant that he or she was not responsible for the accident in order to avoid:
- Being ticketed, arrested or fined
- Higher auto insurance premiums
- Paying damages to crash victims
The at-fault driver may go to great lengths to deny liability, including lying to the police and lying to the insurance company. Negligent drivers often lie about:
- Speeding
- Using alcohol/drugs
- Driving while drowsy
- Running a red light
- Texting and driving
Other liable drivers may also lie about what caused the accident, shifting blame to a mechanical defect, such as their brakes suddenly failing. If this were true, the at-fault driver would know that the manufacturer of the vehicle or car part may instead be the responsible party.
In a hit-and-run, the fleeing driver may even lie to his or her own insurance company about the accident in an effort to get coverage for his or her own damages while avoiding liability for your damages.
What Can I Do if the Other Driver Has Lied?
If the other driver has lied to the police at the accident scene, it is important to remain calm and avoid getting into an argument. You will not be able to change anyone’s mind at that point in time, especially if the other driver has decided to be dishonest and deceive law enforcement.
If the other driver has lied to the insurance company, rest assured they will not simply take his or her word. The insurance company will initiate their own investigation into the accident and collect their findings to establish fault. With that being said, there are steps you can take to protect yourself.
Remain Consistent in Your Statements
Be sure to remain consistent with anything you say to the police and the insurance company. If you are honest about the accident, your version of events should not change. The insurance company may not have anything to use against you because you have been honest and forthright from the very beginning. As a result, you may have a much better chance of recovering fair and just compensation.
If there are two different versions of what happened, the insurance company will investigate further. If the other driver is lying, his or her statements will likely contradict one another, making the driver appear less credible and to blame for the accident. Credibility is everything in car crash cases.
Gather Supportive Evidence to Establish Fault
You will need strong and supportive evidence to establish the other driver was at fault for the accident. If possible, try to take as many photos as you can at the accident scene. This includes taking photos of:
- Any visible injuries
- The vehicles involved
- Damage to the vehicles
- Damage to surrounding property
- Debris on the road
- Conditions of the roadway
- Relevant traffic signs
- Skid marks or lack of skid marks
Be sure to also gather the names and contact information from witnesses to the accident. While your version of what happened is important, a statement from an objective witness can go a long way in validating your claim. Most witnesses do not have any incentive to fabricate evidence.
Additionally, an experienced lawyer could gather and preserve the necessary evidence on your behalf. This may include getting a subpoena to recover video footage from a dash cam or surveillance system that may show that the other driver was negligent and to blame for the accident.
Consequences for Lying About the Accident
Lying to the police or the insurance company can have serious legal consequences. In Pennsylvania, knowingly providing false information or making a false statement to law enforcement can be deemed a misdemeanor in the second or third degree that will involve a maximum fine and possible jail time.
Lying to the insurance company may also lead to criminal penalties. The insurance company could take legal action to recover damages. A false insurance claim can result in substantial fines and jail time.
Schedule a Free Consultation to Get Started
If you have been in a crash through no fault of your own, we recommend speaking to a licensed Harrisburg vehicle accident lawyer at our firm. We know what it takes to dispute liability and establish fault in the most complex cases. To date, we have recovered millions in compensation for our clients.
The initial consultation we offer is free so there is no risk to you. If we determine that you have a case and you choose to move forward, there are no upfront fees. We only get paid if you get paid.
Talk to a lawyer today. Ph: (717) 727-2550.