Delivery truck backed into me in a crowded lot — driver says it's MY fault??

Almost the exact same thing happened to me with a commercial van two years ago. The driver told the insurance company I came out of nowhere. What actually saved me was a nearby store's exterior camera that caught the whole thing. Seriously — go back to that plaza TODAY and ask the businesses near where it happened if they have footage. A lot of them only keep recordings for 24-72 hours before they overwrite.

The company's insurance adjuster is going to come in friendly and "just asking questions" but they are absolutely building a case to share or shift blame onto you. Do not give them a recorded statement without understanding what you're walking into. That driver already planted the seed that you were at fault — the adjuster heard that report before you ever called.

I used to work claims for a regional carrier and I'll tell you exactly what's happening on their end: the driver filed his version first, so that narrative is already in the system. Commercial fleets often have dashcams too — their legal team will pull that footage immediately. You need to formally request preservation of that footage in writing ASAP, because they have zero obligation to hand it over voluntarily and "accidental" deletion happens more than you'd think.

Generally speaking — and this is NOT legal advice — the operator of a reversing vehicle has a duty to ensure the path is clear before and during backing. That doesn't mean fault is automatic, but it's a meaningful starting point. The fact that it's a commercial vehicle actually adds a layer because the company itself can carry liability, not just the individual driver. Worth at least a free consultation with a PI attorney given the property damage and your physical symptoms. Most won't charge you anything upfront.

Please don't brush off that neck soreness and headache. Symptoms from whiplash or soft tissue injuries often don't fully show up until 24-48 hours after impact — sometimes longer. Go get checked out, even if it's just urgent care. Make sure everything is documented in your medical records with the date and that you mention the accident explicitly. That paper trail matters a lot if symptoms get worse.

A few practical things: First, write down your entire account of what happened right now, with as much detail as you can remember — time, direction you were traveling, where the truck was, everything. Memory fades fast. Second, hold onto every receipt related to this: towing, rental car, any medical visits. Third, the police report number is gold — get a copy as soon as it's available. And yes, go back to that plaza and ask about security footage like the other person said. That's urgent.

Stop talking to their insurance company without representation, period. You've got property damage, possible injury symptoms, and a commercial carrier with a legal team already working the case. This isn't a fender-bender between two people with personal policies. Get a PI lawyer on the phone this week.

I'm not saying the truck driver is right, but a couple of things would help fill out the picture — were you driving in a marked lane in the lot or cutting through open space? Was there any signage indicating the area was used for deliveries or truck traffic? I'm not blaming you, just thinking about what the other side is going to argue.