Long Island Personal Injury Lawyer | Friedman & Simon Logo

CALL FOR A FREE CONSULTATION

(516) 932-0400

What to Do if the Other Driver Changes Their Story After a Crash on Long Island

What to Do if the Other Driver Changes Their Story After a Crash on Long IslandAfter an auto accident, everyone involved will be interviewed by multiple parties. It is therefore possible that the other driver will, at some point, change their story after a crash on Long Island. If this happens, your Long Island car accident lawyer will use evidence to reveal the truth about what happened. We might even use the inconsistency of the other driver’s testimony against them.
Edward Friedman
REVIEWED BY Edward Friedman February 16, 2026
In This Article
Reading time: 5 minutes
  1. Which Part of the Other Driver’s Story Changed?
  2. Why Might a Driver Change Their Story?
  3. Who Do You Share Your Story With After a Car Crash?
  4. How Do Changes in Testimony Affect Your Car Accident Case?
  5. Our Long Island Lawyers Offer Free Consultations

Which Part of the Other Driver’s Story Changed?

Before we decide what to do when the other driver changes their story after a Long Island car accident, we need several pieces of information. This includes knowing which part of their account has changed. For example:
  • If they admitted fault but now deny liability, we will review evidence from police reports and witness testimony.
  • If they say they saw you approaching but now claim you appeared out of nowhere, we could look at video footage and at the accident scene itself to determine who and what was in their line of sight.
Our team will get the chance to interview the other driver ourselves during depositions if the case does not settle in the claim stage and a lawsuit is commenced. We will be on the alert for any changes from their previous testimony and press them on unexplained deviations.

For a free legal consultation, call (516) 932-0400

Why Might a Driver Change Their Story?

There are several reasons why a person might change their story. Some of the more valid reasons include the following:
  • People are often shocked and scared in the aftermath of an accident. They might claim not to know something only to remember it once they calm down.
  • A person might genuinely believe something to be true, only to receive additional information at a later date that affects their understanding of the crash.
  • A person might phrase something in different ways on different occasions, making it sound like they have changed their testimony when they did not mean it that way.
  • The driver’s lawyer might advise them not to talk about the crash anymore. Even if the driver previously expressed a willingness to talk and cooperate, they do have the right to hire legal counsel and listen to their advice.
Sometimes, however, a driver changes their story in a deliberate act of dishonesty. They might do this because:
  • They know they were at fault and do not want to face the consequences.
  • They suspect they were at fault or that their actions do not make them look good.
  • They want to try to get money from you by falsely claiming they were injured.
It is never okay to lie about your role in an accident, but it could be especially damaging if the other driver did so while under oath. Lying under oath is illegal and could seriously damage their defense. We will not hesitate to confront liable parties that do not act in good faith.

Who Do You Share Your Story With After a Car Crash?

Among the parties you might have to talk to about your accident are:
  • The police: The responding officer will ask all involved parties about what they remember and then put that information in an official police report.
  • The insurance companies: Both your no-fault insurer and the other driver’s insurer will investigate the crash, which typically includes interviewing the involved parties. We suggest that you NOT speak with these companies directly. Instead, please allow your lawyers to communicate on your behalf. 
  • Your lawyer. Always tell your lawyer the absolute truth about everything. This allows us to come up with a personalized legal strategy that is suited to your needs.
  • The other driver’s lawyer. We will prepare you for depositions (also known as, “examinations before trial,” with the opposing legal team so you know how to answer questions honestly without jeopardizing your case.
  • Your doctor. While you do not have to share every detail of the accident with your doctor, it is important that they know how you were injured and how you are feeling.
The other driver might also choose to speak with parties who do not have a strict need to know about the crash. For example, they might agree to be interviewed by reporters or post about the crash on social media. Both of these actions could harm your case, so it is best not to make such statements until consulting with an attorney. With so many people to talk to, it is not uncommon for details or recollections to change slightly from one telling to the next. Distinguishing a true misunderstanding or mistake from a lie is not always easy, but it is crucial to your claim’s future. Our legal team is ready to dig deep until we find the truth.

Click to contact our personal injury lawyers today

How Do Changes in Testimony Affect Your Car Accident Case?

If the driver made an honest mistake and admitted as much, we will assess the impact of this on a case-by-case basis. How and if it alters your strategy or the outcome of your case will depend on the exact nature of the changed testimony. If, however, the driver changes their story without explanation, or if we find out that they were deliberately misleading investigators, this could work to your advantage:
  • The driver has proven they are unreliable, which could boost your own credibility.
  • Trying to hide information only emphasizes the at-fault driver’s liability, giving us a stronger position from which to negotiate.
  • The other driver’s insurer might decide to offer an appropriate settlement rather than risk any more harmful revelations.
Dealing with changing testimony is not always easy, but a car accident lawyer with appropriate experience will work with you to weigh your options.

Complete a Free Case Evaluation form now

Our Long Island Lawyers Offer Free Consultations

If you are concerned about what to do if the other driver has changed their story after a crash on Long Island, call us to learn more at no cost or obligation. Friedman & Simon, L.L.P., has been proudly representing injury victims since 1991. We will thoroughly investigate your situation and guide you towards the right strategies and solutions.

Call or text (516) 932-0400 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form