What Happens When the Other Driver Lies About an Accident?

When the Story Doesn’t Match the Truth

Dealing with an accident is stressful enough. When the other driver lies about what happened, that stress can multiply quickly. You might feel angry, confused, or even powerless. 

Maybe they blamed you when they ran a red light. Maybe they denied hitting your vehicle. Or maybe they gave a totally different version to their insurance company. These things happen more than people realize, especially in busy areas of New York where traffic is heavy and tempers can flare.

At Horn Wright, LLP, our personal injury attorneys help people across New York State protect their rights when facts are challenged. If someone has lied about your accident, we work to find the truth and bring your side forward. Our goal is to uncover evidence that supports your claim, so you’re not left trying to defend yourself alone.

False Statements Can Undermine Your Claim

When another driver lies about the crash, it makes your case harder. That’s because insurance companies rely heavily on what both parties report. If the stories don’t match, the insurer may delay decisions, reduce settlement offers, or even deny your claim entirely.

In high-traffic areas like Long Island or parts of the Bronx, where crashes happen fast and witnesses aren’t always around, it’s not unusual for drivers to misrepresent what happened. Even small lies, like who had the green light or who hit whom, can have a big impact.

False statements can:

• Distort timelines
• Mislead insurers and police
• Shift blame unfairly
• Complicate medical compensation

That’s why telling your story clearly, and backing it up with proof, becomes so important.

Common Lies Drivers Use After an Accident

Many people assume the other party will tell the truth. Unfortunately, that doesn’t always happen. When someone fears a ticket, points on their license, or higher insurance rates, they may try to twist the facts to protect themselves.

Here are some of the most common untruths reported in New York crash claims:

• "They came out of nowhere"
• "I had the light"
• "They were speeding"
• "They hit me, not the other way around"
• "I was already stopped when they hit me"

Sometimes the lie is told to police on the scene. Other times, it shows up later in a written statement or insurance claim. Regardless of when it happens, you should be ready to push back with evidence.

Start Documenting Your Side Right Away

If you suspect the other driver might lie or already has, start gathering your own information immediately. Even if police respond to the scene, their report may be brief. You’ll want your own notes and records to fill in any gaps.

Steps to take:

• Write down everything you remember, including time and direction
• Take wide and close-up photos of all vehicles involved
• Note weather, road, and traffic conditions
• Save anything the other driver says at the scene

For example, if the accident happened near a busy intersection like Queens Boulevard or in a school zone, detail how the traffic lights worked and where each vehicle was positioned. The more specific your notes, the harder it is for the other side to rewrite what happened.

Look for Changes in Their Story Over Time

When people lie, their story often changes. They might start off saying one thing to the police, then say something different to their insurance company. By the time a legal claim begins, their version may have changed again.

These inconsistencies can seriously damage their credibility. Attorneys and insurers watch for things like:

• Conflicting timelines
• Different points of impact
• Missing key details in later versions
• Statements that don’t match the damage

Your lawyer can request records, compare statements, and help you track where their story doesn’t add up. The more you can show inconsistencies, the stronger your case becomes.

Use Witnesses Whenever Possible

If anyone saw the accident happen, their account can carry serious weight. This includes people in nearby cars, pedestrians, or employees at stores or businesses near the scene.

In cities like Syracuse, Albany, or Rochester, where foot traffic is steady and many streets have storefronts, eyewitnesses are often nearby. Don’t hesitate to speak up and ask for help.

What to collect:

• Names and phone numbers
• Notes or recordings of what they saw
• Business names if camera footage might exist

If you’re not comfortable gathering that info yourself, your attorney can do it later if you’ve at least flagged who to contact.

Secure Video Evidence Before It’s Deleted

Video footage is often the most powerful tool in cases where the other driver has lied. Whether it’s a dashcam or a nearby business camera, video helps clarify what actually happened.

In areas like downtown Buffalo or shopping corridors in Westchester County, cameras are common. But time matters, since many businesses delete footage within 48 to 72 hours.

Sources to consider:

• Your dashcam or a passenger’s phone
• Gas stations, grocery stores, or pharmacies near the crash
• City surveillance if applicable (ask your attorney to request it)

Backing up and sharing footage with your legal team helps secure that timeline while it’s still fresh.

File a Police Report If You Haven’t Already

Even if the police didn’t show up at the scene, you can often still submit your own report. This is especially important when the other driver is dishonest.

In New York, if there’s an injury or over $1,000 in property damage, you must file a Report of Motor Vehicle Accident (MV-104) with the New York DMV. This self-report won’t carry the same weight as an officer’s report, but it gives you a time-stamped account that can support your case.

Additional benefits:

• Creates a consistent version of events
• Serves as backup documentation for insurance
• Shows that you took the crash seriously

Your attorney can help you complete this if you’re unsure.

Insurance Companies Scrutinize Conflicting Claims

When drivers tell different stories, insurance companies notice. But that doesn’t always mean they’ll side with the truth. Sometimes they’ll split fault 50/50 just to close the case, even if one side clearly lied.

In New York, especially in areas with dense claims volumes like Nassau County or Staten Island, adjusters may be under pressure to settle quickly. If you don’t present strong evidence, you risk getting an unfair result.

Tips for protecting your claim:

• Be consistent in every version you provide
• Share supporting materials early
• Refer communications to your lawyer once retained
• Avoid speculating and stick to what you saw and can prove

An Attorney Can Break Down the Lie

One of the strongest advantages of having a personal injury attorney is their ability to investigate thoroughly. At Horn Wright, LLP, we review every angle, literally. From vehicle damage to timestamps to diagrams of the scene, we build a timeline the other side can’t ignore.

Your legal team may:

• Analyze inconsistencies in the other party’s testimony
• Work with crash reconstruction experts
• Use photos, records, and witness statements to back your version

When someone lies about an accident, the legal process helps reveal the truth. But that process works best when it’s supported by a clear, consistent, and well-prepared case.

The Truth Comes Through With the Right Help

If the other driver lied about your accident, you’re not alone, and you’re not stuck. With the right legal support, your voice can cut through the noise. At Horn Wright, LLP, we help people across New York State expose false claims, protect their rights, and recover what they’re owed.

Let us handle the legal stress so you can focus on your recovery. Contact us for a free case review and speak directly with our team.