The Shoulder
The Shoulder
64
Insurancesilent-sparrow-082

Other driver lied to insurance and now I'm the one being blamed — I have video proof

Still shaking my head at this whole situation honestly.

I was driving straight down a two-lane road last week, no stops, no turns, just moving through an intersection I had every right to be in. A guy in an SUV eased out from a side street like he was going to stop — and then just... didn't. By the time I realized he wasn't stopping, it was too late. He rolled right into the side of my car.

Here's where it gets infuriating. When he talked to my insurance company, he told them I was the one who pulled out of a nearby parking lot and struck him. That is a flat-out lie. I was traveling on the main road the entire time.

Lucky for me, there's a dashcam mounted in my car that captured everything. The footage clearly shows me driving down the road — not pulling out of any parking lot, not doing anything wrong. I forwarded the full clip to my insurance rep and now I'm just sitting here waiting.

My car has significant front-quarter damage, my neck has been stiff and sore since the impact, and I've already missed one shift at work because I could barely turn my head the next morning. And on top of all that I have to deal with this guy's story falling apart in slow motion.

A few things I'm wondering:

  • Does dashcam footage basically settle the liability question, or can the other guy keep pushing back?
  • Should I be talking to a lawyer even if my insurance seems to be on my side?
  • What happens if his insurance tries to come after me anyway once they see the video?

Any of you dealt with a situation where the other driver just flatly lied? How did it play out?

12replies

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12 replies

  • 20
    bright-otter-673

    Don't assume your own insurance is fully 'on your side' just because you sent the video. Adjusters are trying to close files efficiently — that doesn't always mean fighting hard for you. Keep copies of everything, don't give any recorded statements without thinking carefully first, and watch for language like 'shared fault' sneaking into their assessment even when the footage is clear.

  • 18
    plain-sparrow-813

    Speaking from my time on the other side of the desk — dashcam footage genuinely does change the outcome in disputes like this. When there's a clear visual record, it's very hard for the other party's version to survive the review process. That said, make sure the timestamp and GPS data on the footage are intact if your camera captures those. Adjusters look for anything that could allow a credibility challenge.

    • 14
      cool-kestrel-671

      A couple of practical things worth knowing: First, preserve that footage in multiple places — cloud backup, a USB drive, email it to yourself. Original files matter more than screen recordings. Second, your neck stiffness should be documented by a doctor ASAP if you haven't already gone. Medical records tied close in time to the accident carry a lot more weight than symptoms you mention weeks later. The liability question and the injury claim are two separate tracks and both need their own paper trail.

  • 13
    candid-stoat-704

    Oh man, I went through almost the exact same thing two years ago. Guy T-boned me at an intersection and then told his insurer I ran a red light. I had a witness and a traffic cam saved me. Dashcam footage is even better — that's basically a firsthand account with no memory issues. Hang in there because once they actually review it, the story usually falls apart fast.

  • 12
    brave-finch-433

    Please go get that neck looked at even if it feels like 'just stiffness.' I've seen people brush off post-collision neck and shoulder symptoms for days and then discover there's soft tissue or even disc involvement that got worse because they waited. Getting evaluated early also just protects you — it creates a documented link between the accident and your symptoms, which matters if this drags on.

    • 8
      weary-rider227

      That lines up with what my adjuster told me too.

  • 9
    kind-beaver-166

    Not legal advice, but — yes, you should at least consult with a personal injury attorney before this goes much further, even if things look good on the liability side. An attorney can help you understand what your injury claim might actually be worth and make sure you're not settling for less than you should down the line. Most PI consultations are free. The dashcam footage is a huge asset; just make sure it's being used strategically and not just handed over casually.

    • 8
      grounded-late-shift119

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

  • 9
    warm-fox-284

    Ugh this is so stressful to read. I'm sorry you're dealing with someone else's dishonesty on top of already being hurt and dealing with car damage. Really glad you had the dashcam — that was a lucky break in an unlucky situation. Hope the insurance review moves fast for you.

  • 9
    hearty-finch-875

    Quick question — does your dashcam footage show the full approach to the intersection, or does it pick up closer to the moment of impact? I'm asking because if there's any ambiguity about where exactly you entered the frame, the other driver's team might try to exploit a gap. Also, were there any witnesses who stopped at the scene?

    • 0
      weathered-road-soul705

      Adding this: keep copies of every email. It mattered for me.

  • 8
    kind-vole-619

    Short answer: yes, get a lawyer. You have documented injuries, a clear liability dispute where the other driver lied, and video evidence. That's a legitimate case. Don't navigate his insurance company alone.