swift-grouse-2015/10/2026

Backing into my worksite and got hit — now they're saying it's on me??

So this happened last week and I'm still kind of processing it. I was doing a delivery route and needed to back into a loading area off a side street — totally normal part of my job, done it a hundred times. I put my hazards on, checked my mirrors, and started easing back slowly.

Next thing I know there's a massive jolt and my whole truck spins sideways. A car had come up the street and plowed right into my front quarter panel. The driver immediately started telling the responding officer that I "came out of nowhere" and cut her off.

Here's the thing though — my company's delivery trucks have dash cams front and rear. When my supervisor pulled the footage, you can clearly see I had my hazards going, I was barely moving, and her car was actually going pretty fast for a side street. She definitely had time to stop or slow down.

The responding officer's report is kind of vague — it doesn't assign clear fault, just describes the scene. Her insurance has already called me twice being really friendly and asking me to give a recorded statement. My own company's insurance is involved too since it was a work vehicle, which makes this more complicated.

I'm a little shaken up — got some neck stiffness and my shoulder has been bothering me since the impact. Went to urgent care the next day.

Has anyone dealt with a situation where the footage clearly shows one thing but the other driver is telling a completely different story? Does the dash cam footage actually matter in these situations, or can insurance companies just ignore it?

8 replies

Most helpful first

clever-beaver-5865/10/2026
Dash cam footage is HUGE. I was in a situation where it was my word against the other driver's and I had nothing to back me up — total nightmare. The fact that you have video showing your hazards on and your speed is genuinely a big deal. Don't let anyone downplay that.
humble-wolf-8665/10/2026
Do NOT give that recorded statement to the other driver's insurance. I cannot stress this enough. They are calling you because they want you to say something they can use to shift liability onto you. Their "friendly" tone is a tactic. You're not required to cooperate with the opposing insurer at all. Talk to your own company's insurance rep first, and honestly consider talking to a PI attorney before you say anything on record.
- careful-bison-1375/10/2026
  Not legal advice, but the comparative fault question here is really going to come down to the specific traffic laws in your state about yielding while backing, plus what the video actually shows about her speed and sight lines. The fact that you had hazards activated works in your favor. With two insurance companies involved and a potential injury claim, it would probably be worth at least a free consultation with a personal injury attorney — most do them at no charge.
- bright-hare-6445/10/2026
  A few practical things: make sure the dash cam footage is backed up somewhere secure and that you have a written record of who pulled it and when. If it's on a company system, ask for written confirmation that it's been preserved — you don't want it to get overwritten in a routine data cycle. Also get a copy of the police report yourself as soon as it's available; you can usually request it directly from the department. Vague reports can sometimes be amended if new evidence comes in.
keen-lynx-3145/10/2026
I used to work on the claims side and I can tell you — adjusters are trained to reach out quickly and sound warm and casual because people are more likely to make offhand comments that hurt their own case. The recorded statement request is standard procedure but it's also a fishing expedition. Video evidence genuinely does shift how claims get evaluated, so preserve that footage and make sure it's documented in writing with your supervisor ASAP.
daring-marmot-2755/10/2026
Please don't brush off that shoulder and neck pain. Adrenaline and the initial shock of an accident can genuinely mask how bad an injury is, and soft tissue stuff can get significantly worse in the days after impact. If you went to urgent care once, go back or see your regular doctor if the pain isn't improving or gets worse. And keep a written log of your symptoms — when they're bad, what movements hurt, how it's affecting your sleep and work. That documentation matters.
gentle-bison-5095/10/2026
You have video. That's your whole case right there. Stop worrying about what she told the officer and start focusing on making sure that footage is protected and in the hands of the right people. Don't talk to her insurance without representation. Everything else follows from those two things.
steady-raven-4455/10/2026
How clear is the footage really though? Like does it clearly show the street behind you before the impact, or just your truck? I ask because "dash cam footage" can mean a lot of things — sometimes the angle doesn't actually capture what you think it does. Have you watched the full clip yourself or just heard from your supervisor what's on it? Might be worth watching it yourself before you assume it fully supports your version.