Can I Sue Someone For Lying About a Car Accident?

If the other driver lied about their actions when they were at fault for a car crash that caused you serious injuries, you can file a lawsuit or claim through their insurance policy. You (and your lawyer) can gather evidence to show what actually happened and demonstrate that the other driver was negligent. 

Working with a lawyer in a situation like this could be beneficial. A lawyer can explain your options, protect your right to seek compensation, and handle the legal process for you. 

How Can You Prove that the Other Driver Lied?

If the other driver lied, you don’t necessarily have to prove it. What you will need to show is evidence that the other driver was negligen – in other words, they were careless or reckless and caused your crash.

A lawyer can help you collect and protect important evidence, working with sources such as:

• Eyewitness statements: If there were witnesses to the scene, their testimony could confirm your side of the story. 
• Surveillance: Local business cameras, residential area cameras, or traffic cameras could have captured your crash on video. 
• The accident report: Your police report may be more objective than the other driver’s statements. An officer may make notes about the crash that indicate the other party was at fault. 
• Photos: If you took photos of the scene, these images could provide crucial evidence regarding how the accident occurred. 
• Accident reconstruction specialists: A lawyer can help you gather testimony from accident reconstruction experts.  

Other sources of evidence could confirm how your accident happened and who was responsible. 

What Else Should I Do to Support My Case?

If you want to seek compensation after the accident, it’s important to gather multiple types of evidence, including evidence showing:

• How the accident happened 
• That the other party was negligent
• That the accident caused your injuries and losses

If you were injured in the crash, be sure to see a doctor and start any necessary treatments as soon as possible. Doing so is important for your health, and it also allows you to document the extent of your injuries. You can use your medical records and statements from your doctor to show that you deserve compensation for your injuries.

Your car accident could have caused you other hardships as well, such as income losses or out-of-pocket expenses for transportation costs. You can use records of your past and present paychecks to demonstrate the difference in your earnings after the crash. Keep any receipts for your injury-related expenses, as these can help prove how the accident affected you financially.

How Can I Take Legal Action Against the Other Driver?

Per 75 Pa. C.S.A. § 1705, Pennsylvania is a no-fault insurance state. What this means is that when you are in an auto accident in Pennsylvania, you turn to your own car insurance for certain expenses, regardless of who is at fault. This means you would typically file a claim through your own insurance company to cover your medical expenses after a car accident, even if you were not at fault. However, if you have full tort coverage, or if you have limited tort insurance coverage and were seriously injured, you can file a lawsuit against the responsible party for your additional losses. 

Once you and your lawyer have sufficient evidence, you can bring a case against the negligent driver. Depending on your case’s details, you may either:

• File an insurance claim through the other driver’s policy
• File a civil lawsuit 

How Your Attorney Can Help

If you work with an attorney, they may be able to negotiate a satisfactory settlement without having to file a lawsuit. In this case, your lawyer will handle all the conversations with the insurance company for you and present you with any offers they receive. 

The other party’s insurance company may not be willing to make the offer you deserve, however. At this point, your lawyer may file a lawsuit. 

Once the insurance company knows that a trial is imminent, they may then make you a fair settlement offer. On the other hand, your case could proceed to trial, where your lawyer will argue your case before a jury. 

What Forms of Compensation Could I Get Through a Lawsuit or Insurance Claim?

You could seek compensation for all provable losses you faced due to the crash. These losses may include:

• Medical bills 
• Lost income
• Reduced earning capacity
• Pain and suffering

Other damages could be available based on the unique details of your case.

Should I Work with a Lawyer After a Car Accident?

Working with a lawyer could have many benefits, especially if the other driver lied about your accident. They can help you: 

• Determine if you should sue the opposing party 
• Understand what a fair settlement offer looks like
• Make important decisions about your case
• Gather strong evidence
• Handle conversations with third parties
• Deal with any challenges to your case

Seeking the compensation you deserve can be complicated, even in more straightforward accident cases. For instance, the insurance company may attempt to lower your payout by claiming that your injuries weren’t significant. They may also claim that their client wasn’t responsible for the crash.

Injury lawyers commonly deal with these types of roadblocks from insurance companies. They know how to speak to the insurance adjusters and other lawyers in pursuit of the results you deserve. 

Get a Free Case Review from Berger and Green

If the other driver is lying about your car accident, our team can explain your legal options. Call our team today for your free case review and learn how we can help: (412) 661-1400.