What Should I Do If the Other Driver Lies About a Michigan Car Crash?

Maybe they claimed you ran a red light. Or insisted you were speeding. Or told the police a completely different version of events, one that puts the blame squarely on you. Unfortunately, this happens more often than you’d think. And when it does, it can seriously jeopardize your insurance claim, your chance at compensation, and even your driving record unless you know how to respond.

At The Clark Law Office, we’ve handled countless Michigan car accident cases where the at-fault driver tried to avoid responsibility by twisting the facts. In this guide, we’ll explain why drivers lie, how those lies impact your case, and what steps you can take to protect your rights when it’s your word against theirs.

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When Drivers Lie About a Crash and Why It Happens

After a car accident, most people are shaken up, frustrated, or embarrassed, but some take it a step further. Instead of accepting responsibility, they twist the facts or tell outright lies to protect themselves. Whether it’s a harmless-sounding white lie or a full-blown false statement to police or insurers, it can seriously affect your claim. So why do drivers lie after an accident?

To avoid being found at fault
Insurance premiums can skyrocket after a crash. If a driver can shift the blame—even partially—they may pay less or avoid a claim entirely.
To dodge liability or legal consequences
In cases involving speeding, DUIs, or reckless driving, the stakes are higher. A driver may lie to avoid getting a ticket, losing their license, or being sued.
Because they weren’t paying attention
Some drivers genuinely don’t remember how the crash happened. They may reconstruct a version of events in their head that protects them—even if it’s not accurate.
To match their insurance company’s narrative
Insurance adjusters sometimes coach or pressure drivers into sticking to a version of the story that minimizes payout exposure.

Regardless of the motive, these false claims can make your case harder to prove but not impossible to win. The next section breaks down the most common lies drivers tell and how they can affect your ability to recover compensation.

How False Statements Affect Car Accident Claims

When the other driver lies about what happened, it can cause serious complications even if you know you’re telling the truth. Insurance companies are trained to look for inconsistencies, and when two stories conflict, they may deny your claim, delay the investigation, or reduce the compensation you deserve. Unfortunately, many lies sound believable on paper especially when there are no witnesses or clear video evidence. That’s why it’s important to recognize the red flags and respond with facts, not frustration. Here are some of the most common false statements drivers make and how they can hurt your case:

🗣️ Lie or Misstatement	🚨 Why They Say It	⚠️ Impact on Your Claim
“They hit me, not the other way.”	Avoid being the at-fault party	Shifts fault, can reduce or deny compensation
“I wasn’t speeding.”	Hides reckless driving behavior	Affects liability and damages awarded
“They ran the light/stop sign.”	Reverses narrative in their favor	May conflict with your police statement
“No injuries were reported.”	Undermines your claim for medical costs	Used by insurers to deny or reduce payouts

Lies like these can be incredibly frustrating but they don’t have to control the outcome of your case. In the next section, we’ll cover exactly what to do when you realize the other driver is being dishonest.

What to Do If the Other Driver Is Lying

If you know the other driver is lying about how the accident happened, don’t panic but don’t wait, either. The faster you act, the better your chances of setting the record straight. Here’s what to do:

Stick to the facts in your statement.
When speaking to police or your insurance company, clearly and calmly explain your side. Avoid guessing, exaggerating, or reacting emotionally.
Request a copy of the police report.
Make sure your version of events is accurately reflected in the official report. If it’s not, ask to file a supplemental statement or correction.
Preserve all physical evidence.
Take photos of the damage, skid marks, debris, and intersection layout—especially before the scene is cleared.
Track down witnesses.
Independent eyewitnesses can make or break your case. If someone saw the crash, ask for their contact info and encourage them to speak to the police.
Avoid discussing the crash with the other driver.
Anything you say can be twisted or misrepresented later. Keep all communication professional and through the proper legal or insurance channels.
Hire an experienced car accident lawyer.
When you’re up against conflicting stories, a good attorney can gather supporting evidence, challenge false claims, and protect your right to compensation.

Using Evidence to Prove the Truth

When it’s your word against theirs, evidence is everything. Insurance companies aren’t in the business of believing people, they’re in the business of verifying stories. The more you can support your version of events with documentation and proof, the stronger your case becomes. Whether the other driver lied about fault, speed, signals, or injuries, here are the best types of evidence to prove what really happened:

📸 Evidence Type	✅ What It Proves	🧠 Why It Matters
📋 Police report	Fault findings, driver statements	Creates an official record of the incident
👀 Eyewitness statements	Neutral third-party account of events	Corroborates your story vs. the other driver
🎥 Dashcam or surveillance	Visual timeline of the crash	Very hard to dispute or misrepresent
🩺 Medical records	Injuries, timing, and causation	Refutes “no one was hurt” or delayed claims
📱 Phone records or texts	Prove distraction or post-accident statements	Can contradict their version of events

Even if the truth isn’t obvious at first, good documentation and legal advocacy can bring it to light. In the next section, we’ll explain how insurance companies handle situations when both drivers tell different stories.

How Insurance Companies Handle Conflicting Stories

When both drivers tell different stories, insurance adjusters don’t automatically side with one person, they dig into the details. They’ll look at evidence, consistency, credibility, and damage patterns to decide who’s telling the truth (or if both drivers share some blame). Unfortunately, if the evidence is weak or the story seems unclear, insurers may:

Delay the claim
Offer a reduced settlement
Deny compensation entirely

Here’s a breakdown of how they evaluate these situations:

🏢 Insurance Process	🔍 What They Look For	⚖️ How It Affects You
🔊 Recorded statements	Consistency, timing, contradictions	Inconsistencies can weaken your credibility
🚗 Damage assessment reports	Impact zones, crash angles, severity	Supports or contradicts each driver’s story
👀 Eyewitness or video review	Objective confirmation of events	May tilt the case toward one party
📋 Police report analysis	Fault indicators, citations, diagrams	Often used as a key decision-making tool
🧮 Comparative fault analysis	Who contributed to the crash, and how	Determines how much compensation you receive

If the other driver is lying, it’s essential that you present the strongest possible case to the adjuster or better yet, have an attorney do it for you.

Talk to a Michigan Car Accident Lawyer If You’re Being Blamed

When the other driver lies, the truth alone isn’t always enough. You need evidence, legal strategy, and someone who knows how to challenge false narratives especially when insurance companies are looking for any excuse to reduce or deny your claim. At The Clark Law Office, we’ve helped countless Michigan drivers protect themselves from false accusations after a crash. We know what insurance adjusters look for, how to prove the truth with documentation, and how to keep dishonest drivers from shifting the blame onto you. If your case involves conflicting stories, disputed fault, or an at-fault driver who isn’t telling the truth, we’re here to help.

🔗 Explore more topics like this in our Laws & Legal Process hub

Frequently Asked Questions About Drivers Lying After a Crash

What should I do if the other driver lied to the police about the crash?

Stay calm and stick to your version of events. Request a copy of the police report and file a supplemental statement if your side was misrepresented. Then, gather evidence to support your claim and speak with a lawyer right away.

Can I still win my case if it’s just my word against theirs?

Yes—especially if you have supporting evidence like photos, dashcam footage, witness statements, or damage reports that match your account. Insurance companies and courts look for consistency and corroboration.

Do insurance companies believe the first person to file a report?

Not necessarily. They evaluate the full picture: evidence, vehicle damage, injuries, police reports, and more. But filing promptly—and clearly—can help establish your credibility early in the process.

What if the other driver says no one was hurt, but I have injuries?

You can still pursue a claim. Always seek medical care immediately after a crash, even if symptoms are delayed. Your medical records will be key to proving the injury timeline and countering false claims.

Can a lawyer help prove the other driver is lying?

Absolutely. An experienced car accident attorney can investigate your case, request key records, challenge false statements, and build the evidence needed to protect your rights and maximize compensation.

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