The Shoulder
The Shoulder
53
bright-finch-643

Company's lawyers want me to take the blame at trial to protect them — should I walk away?

This whole situation has me losing sleep and I genuinely don't know what to do, so I'm hoping someone here has been through something similar.

I'm a commercial driver. About a year and a half ago I was involved in a serious accident while on the clock. I won't get into everything, but I'll say this: I was cleared on the scene. No citation, passed every inspection and test they threw at me that day, and my records were completely clean. I still have my job.

The company brought in their own legal team to handle the lawsuit that followed. Early on they coached me through a deposition — basically told me to stay neutral, don't speculate on fault, just say what I observed. Fine. I did that.

Now, out of nowhere, the same lawyers are circling back saying they want me to admit to some level of fault at the upcoming trial. Not the worst charge on the table — but a charge. The way it was explained to me, it sounds like they're trying to use me as a shield to knock down a more serious claim against the company. I haven't been formally subpoenaed. Nobody's told me what I personally stand to lose if I go along with this.

Here's the thing: these lawyers represent the company, not me. I've started to wonder if I even have anyone in my corner right now.

I'm not ready to quit — I need this job — but I'm also not ready to stand up in court and say I did something wrong when I'm not sure I did.

Has anyone been put in a position like this? Do I need my own attorney? Do I just show up and do what they say? Something feels very wrong about all of this.

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11 replies

  • 8
    daring-swan-723

    Not legal advice, but this is a serious red flag. The company's lawyers have a duty to the company, not to you personally. When those interests diverge — which they clearly are right now — you need your own independent counsel before you say or sign anything. Admitting fault, even a 'lesser' version of it, can have consequences for your CDL, your personal liability, and your livelihood that their lawyers have zero incentive to protect you from.

    • 8
      kind-tern-688

      I was in a work accident a couple years ago and my employer's insurance attorney pulled something similar — very subtle, but I could feel it shifting in a direction that wasn't about protecting me. The moment I realized their lawyer's job was to minimize the company's exposure (not mine), I got my own attorney. Best decision I made. Yours is more serious, so please don't wait on that.

    • 8
      kind-elk-755

      From the inside, this is a pretty well-known playbook. If they can get a driver to absorb a 'lesser negligence' finding, it dramatically limits punitive exposure for the company. The driver becomes the pressure valve. You're not paranoid — this is a real strategy, and you are not the one it's designed to help.

    • 1
      curious-neighbor123

      Really glad you posted an update — gives the rest of us some hope.

  • 8
    mellow-heron-922

    The fact that you haven't been subpoenaed is interesting. That means you may still have some room to maneuver. Don't let them pressure you into volunteering something in court that you were never legally compelled to say. Talk to someone who's actually on YOUR side first.

    • 9
      brave-heron-621

      A few things worth knowing: (1) You can consult a personal attorney confidentially before doing anything — that conversation is protected. (2) Admitting fault in a civil trial can theoretically be used in other proceedings depending on how it's framed. (3) The fact that there's no subpoena yet means the timeline may still be flexible. Document every conversation you've had with the company's legal team. Dates, names, what was said. Keep that record somewhere personal, not on a work device.

  • 20
    humble-tern-561

    Do not admit to anything in a courtroom without having your own lawyer review exactly what you'd be saying and what it means for you legally. Full stop. Quitting your job right now is probably the wrong move too — don't make any big decisions until you get independent advice.

    • 5
      level-co-pilot648

      Did the timeline change anything for you? Mine dragged on for weeks.

  • 15
    patient-otter-581

    This sounds so stressful and honestly really unfair. You did everything right — passed every test, kept your records clean — and now they want you to be the fall guy? I really hope you find someone who's actually looking out for you in this. Please don't just go along with it because it feels easier.

  • 15
    plain-owl-662

    I don't want to dismiss what you're feeling, but I'm curious — did the company's lawyers actually use the words 'admit fault,' or is that your interpretation of what they were suggesting? I ask because sometimes there's a difference between legal strategy language and what it actually means in practice. Either way, your own attorney should translate it for you.

    • 5
      honest-passenger817

      This is really helpful — thank you for posting it.