Can You Sue Someone for Lying About a Car Accident?

Yes, you can sue someone for lying about a car accident, but the type of suit you file depends on the situation. In many cases, you can present your evidence and police report to the insurance companies to prove your innocence. In other situations, you may need to file for defamation or fraudulent misrepresentation.

If you’ve been falsely accused of causing an accident, you have legal options to clear your name and recover losses. A trusted car accident lawyer in Phoenix can guide you through collecting evidence, reporting the truth, and taking steps on how to protect your assets after a car accident when the other driver is dishonest.

While most disputes settle out of court, knowing what percentage of car accidents actually go to trial can help you prepare for every outcome. If your case does escalate, an experienced attorney can help present solid proof, such as photos, witness statements, and police reports, to demonstrate what really happened. By taking action early, you can protect both your reputation and your finances from the effects of false claims.

What To Do If Someone Lies About a Car Accident

Protecting Yourself Against Lies

It’s common for both drivers to have conflicting stories about the details of the accident, as everyone will have their own version of what happened. Whether the other driver is knowingly lying or not, you should always take these steps following a car accident to keep the facts straight:

Collect Evidence

Always take photos and videos of the damage done to all of the cars involved in the accident, the area around the accident, and of any visible injuries. You may want to invest in a dashboard camera for your car to be proactive, but you can use your phone camera after the accident. Look for security cameras to see if you can request footage from them, as well.

If anyone saw the accident happen, get their name and contact information. They may be eyewitnesses to help support your story if their facts line up with yours.

Get a Police Report

Call the police immediately following a car accident. In some states, you are legally required to file a police report. The police will arrive and will collect their own evidence to create an official report. 

If anyone lies to the police, they have committed a crime. If you believe the other driver is lying to the police, tell the officer immediately and show them the evidence you have to support your claim.

In case you aren’t able to call the police to the scene of the accident, you should still file a police report. This will create an official incident report and may even help support your insurance claim.

What Can You Sue for?

If someone files a false claim that says you were the driver responsible for the car accident or falsely claims they were injured in a wreck you caused, you have a few options regarding what you can do. In some cases, you can file a lawsuit against them using evidence you’ve collected and the police report that proves the accident was not your fault or that they were not injured by the accident.

You also may be able to sue for defamation or fraudulent misrepresentation. Defamation is a false statement that harms your reputation, while fraudulent misrepresentation is when someone knowingly lies with the hope that it will have a certain outcome. In this case, the other driver may knowingly lie to convince the insurance companies that you caused the accident so that they do not have to pay for damages.

If you are unsure of which steps to take, call the law offices of Gage Mathers. Our team of legal experts has helped car accident victims for many years, and we know how to prove what really happened. Call us today to see how our team can support you!

About the Author

Joseph D'Aguanno

Guided by the belief that being a highly skilled specialist in a narrow field is better than being ordinary in everything, Joseph “JD” D’Aguanno leads Arizona’s best personal injury law firm in Phoenix, AZ. Having extensive cross-training in pre-litigation negotiations and trial lawyer skills, with decades of experience, JD strives to provide clients with the most valuable legal services a personal injury lawyer can provide. Under his direction, Gage Mathers Law Group is an award-winning personal injury law firm providing aggressive representation to victims of a car accident, medical malpractice, dog bite, motorcycle accident, and other injurious events. Gage Mathers is trusted by thousands of lawyers and clients throughout the country because of their reputation for getting clients the maximum compensation they deserve.

Years of experience: Over 24 years
Bar number: 020421
Location: Phoenix, AZ
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