It doesn’t matter whether the at-fault driver lies at the accident scene or not. The evidence will show what really happened. While the police report might have some incorrect information (due to a driver lying, for example), you should not be concerned because this element of the police report isn’t the end all be all. It’s also rare for law enforcement’s investigation to turn up incorrect information.
You should still do your due diligence at the accident scene:
- Collect witness accounts and contact information
- Take photos and videos
- Ensure law enforcement arrives to document the accident
- Ask the other drivers involved for their contact information
- Seek medical attention immediately
- Talk to an attorney
Each one of these steps is crucial to ensuring you don’t bear the liability for an accident you didn’t cause just because the other driver lied. Read on for more information about each of these steps.
Collect Witness Accounts and Contact Information
Ask witnesses what they saw. Write down the details and be sure that you collect the witness’s contact information. Ask that they stay and wait for law enforcement to ensure the details make it into the police report. Be kind and thank them for their time.
Take Photos and Videos
Photos and videos help your attorney recreate the scene and better understand what happened. They’ll be a key piece of information when submitting your insurance claim. Photograph the vehicles involved as well as the roadway and any nearby intersections. Everything will tell a story and show who is telling the truth.
Ensure Law Enforcement Arrives to Document the Accident
Call 911 as soon as you’re able. You want them on the scene quickly to preserve evidence and collect witness accounts. Never avoid calling 911 just because you believe the other driver is lying about what happened. Law enforcement knows how to read the accident scene and vehicle damage to infer what happened instead of relying solely on what the drivers are saying happened.
Ask the Other Drivers and Passengers Involved for Their Contact Information
If the accident is a multi-vehicle accident, be sure you collect contact information for all vehicles involved. This will provide additional accounts to law enforcement and your attorney in case the at-fault driver lies about what happened. The more evidence you have of what happened, the better.
Seek Medical Attention Immediately
Accident victims often want to just put the incident behind them. So they go home, try to forget about it and worry primarily about getting their vehicle fixed. However, you might have suffered injuries as a result of the accident.
It’s in your best interests to get a full medical evaluation after a car accident. At a minimum, you should set up an appointment with your primary care doctor to get a full evaluation. Be honest about any sources of pain and don’t downplay any symptoms because they could be a sign of something more serious.
Talk to an Attorney
After a car accident, you might have no intention to pursue a lawsuit against the other party. But there is a common misconception about the role of an attorney in a car accident insurance claim.
An attorney can help you interact with the insurance company while protecting yourself from saying or doing the wrong thing. Ideally, you’ll settle the claim without ever needing a lawsuit. That’s because your attorney will help you pursue a settlement where you negotiate with the insurance company outside of court.
Stewart & Stewart offers free consultations for car accident victims to discuss your case and legal needs. You should not feel intimidated because the other driver is lying about what happened. We’ll work with you to prove what really happened. Contact us now to get your claim started.