Dealing with an accident is always a headache. From police reports, insurance claims, and then fixing you car— the entire process can be pretty stressful. But, the process is entirely more stressful when you’re dealing with a at-fault driver that lies about being at fault. As much as we want to believe people will do the honorable thing— that’s just not always the case. In fact, a majority of drivers who are at fault will attempt to lie about it in hopes of saving themselves money. So we’re here to help you navigate the most common lies — and how to deal with them. That way, you’re not left to pay for someone else’s wrongdoings.
Common Lies Told By At-Fault Drivers
“I was driving the speed limit”
One of the most common lies drivers will tell is that they were driving within the speed limit at the time of the crash. A driver may report a speed under the limit in that area, when actually they were traveling much faster. Speed is often a deciding factor in collisions, so it is important to receive an honest record from the driver. In addition, speed can be a cause that determines who was at fault during an accident. But, ultimately, a seasoned professional will be able to tell about how fast the driver was going.
“I was focused on the road, I don’t know what happened”
Another common lie an at-fault drivers may tell is that they were paying attention to the road before the crash. But in honesty, they were on their cell phone, texting a friend back. This is a very common lie, due to the fact that texting while driving immediately puts someone at fault for an accident. Therefore, many people deny being on their phone. If you suspect, or even know for certain, that the person was on their phone you should take action. In this case, your attorney may want to retrieve the driver’s phone records.
“I’ll pay for the damage, just please don’t call the police”
Another one of those common lies at-fault drivers might tell is that there is no need to report the crash. A lot of at fault drivers try to convince you to avoid calling the police. In doing so, they will likely give you their information and promise to pay for any damage. But, the sad part is, this is often just a lie. Drivers who do this are free to drive away and forget the accident ever happened. Since you did not file a police report, you have nothing to go on but the driver’s promise. In the majority of cases, the driver will never return your call and leave you with the damage. It is important to always file an accident with the local police department.