The Shoulder
The Shoulder
60
Insurancekeen-newt-882

Other driver lied to insurance and has no idea I have a dashcam — what happens now?

So I'm still kind of in shock about this. Got rear-ended at a red light about three weeks ago. Pretty clear-cut situation — I was completely stopped, light was red, and the guy behind me wasn't paying attention and plowed right into me. Police came, report was filed, I thought this was going to be straightforward.

Then I get a call from the claims adjuster last week. Apparently the other driver told his insurance that I reversed into him. Like, intentionally backed up into his car at a red light. I almost laughed out loud when she told me that.

Here's the thing he doesn't know: I installed a dashcam about two months ago after my neighbor got sideswiped in a parking lot. It caught everything — the whole sequence, clear as day. You can see my brake lights on, my car completely stationary, and him drifting into me at probably 25-30 mph. Zero ambiguity.

I've already sent the footage to my own insurance and they seemed really interested in it. But I'm nervous about what comes next. Like:

  • Does the lying actually matter in terms of how this plays out?
  • Could it help my case beyond just proving fault?
  • Is there any chance they still find some partial fault on my end even with video proof?
  • Should I be talking to anyone else at this point, like a lawyer?

I've never dealt with anything like this before. My neck has been pretty sore and I've been to urgent care once already. Just trying to figure out what I'm walking into here. Any experience with something similar?

13replies

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13 replies

  • 19
    silent-owl-897

    Please don't assume that having the footage means the adjuster is automatically on your side. They're still looking for any angle to reduce the payout. Watch out for questions like 'were your brakes working properly' or 'had you made any sudden stops recently' — those can sound innocent but they're fishing. Be careful what you say and keep it factual.

    • 5
      curious-passenger153

      Appreciate the detailed write-up. Saving this for later.

  • 18
    swift-kestrel-710

    Stop answering calls from the other driver's insurance without understanding what you're getting into. You have no obligation to give them a recorded statement. Let your own insurer handle the communication for now, and seriously — with an injury in the mix and a lying driver — just talk to a PI lawyer before you say anything else. Free consultations exist for exactly this reason.

  • 16
    swift-bison-254

    A couple of practical things: First, get a copy of the police report if you haven't already and double-check that the officer's account matches what actually happened. Second, document everything about the dashcam footage — when it was recorded, what device, where you've submitted it. If this escalates at all, chain of custody for evidence matters. Third, keep a running log of any symptoms, doctor visits, and days you've missed work or activities. That log becomes really useful down the line.

  • 13
    careful-newt-091

    I used to work claims and I'll tell you — when video evidence directly contradicts what a policyholder reported, it creates a serious problem for that driver internally. Insurance companies don't like paying out on claims where their own insured lied to them. Depending on the policy language, a material misrepresentation can actually affect that driver's coverage. I'm not saying it tanks his policy on the spot, but it's not nothing. Make sure your footage is preserved in multiple places and you've formally submitted it through your own insurer in writing, not just verbally.

    • 8
      swift-elk-511

      Not legal advice, but given that you have documented injury (the urgent care visit), clear liability evidence, and a situation where the other party made a false statement to their insurer, this is exactly the kind of case where at least a free consultation with a PI attorney makes sense. The lying piece can sometimes be relevant to how negotiations go, and you want someone in your corner who understands that. Most PI attorneys don't charge upfront.

  • 13
    careful-otter-990

    Honestly the fact that you have footage and he apparently didn't know about it puts you in a really strong position. A lot of people have to fight these disputes with just their word against the other driver's. You don't. That's a genuinely good thing even though this whole situation is stressful.

  • 12
    patient-beaver-726

    Almost the exact same thing happened to me — stopped at a light, rear-ended, and the other guy told his insurance I cut him off somehow. I also had dashcam footage. Once I submitted it, the whole tone of the conversation with the adjuster changed completely. They basically stopped pushing back on fault. Hang in there, the footage is your best friend right now.

    • 4
      level-offramp421

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

  • 12
    wise-fox-767

    Please don't let the insurance stuff distract you from following up on that neck pain. One urgent care visit is a start but soft tissue injuries from rear impacts can take weeks to fully declare themselves. If you're still sore, see a doctor — not just for your health, but because gaps in medical care can genuinely complicate your claim later. Get it documented consistently.

    • 2
      patient-rider466

      Wish I had seen this a month ago — would have saved me a lot of stress.

  • 5
    humble-beaver-420

    Quick question — did the adjuster say specifically what the other driver claimed, or are you inferring? I only ask because sometimes adjusters phrase things in ways that sound like the other driver lied when really it's just a dispute about perspective. Not saying he didn't lie, the dashcam sounds pretty conclusive, just want to make sure you have the full picture of what was actually reported.

    • 2
      careful-walker873

      Wish I had seen this a month ago — would have saved me a lot of stress.