Driver who hit me is lying about what happened — insurance says I'm covered but I'm nervous

I went through almost exactly this last year. Guy rear-ended me at a stoplight and told his insurance I had cut him off. Spoiler: I hadn't. My adjuster was also super reassuring on the phone but when it came time to actually settle the property damage and my medical bills, things got way slower and more complicated. I really wish I had talked to a lawyer earlier just to understand what my options were. Doesn't mean you have to hire one, but at least knowing where you stand is worth it.

Please don't stop going to the doctor because you feel "okay-ish." Whiplash and soft tissue injuries from rear-end crashes can genuinely feel manageable for a week or two and then flare up badly. I've seen it a hundred times. Keep a consistent record of your symptoms, show up to your follow-up appointments, and be honest with your provider about everything — even the stuff that seems minor. That documentation matters way more than people realize if this ever becomes a bigger dispute.

"Your adjuster is on your side" is something people say until the bill comes in. Remember — even your own insurance company has a financial interest in closing claims cheaply and quickly. That friendliness on the phone is real, but so is their bottom line. Don't sign or agree to anything without understanding exactly what you're releasing.

Former adjuster here. When a claimant has dashcam footage and a witness, that's genuinely strong. Most carriers aren't going to fight hard against that combo. That said, the part that often gets messy isn't fault — it's the injury side. Once you cross into medical claims and potential lost wages, the other driver's insurance will absolutely look for ways to minimize. They might argue your treatment was excessive, or that your symptoms pre-existed the crash. Just be aware that's where things tend to get complicated, not necessarily at the fault determination stage.

Not legal advice, but — the fact that liability seems clear right now doesn't mean you won't benefit from a consultation. Most PI attorneys do free consults, and it costs you nothing to understand your position. The injury piece you mentioned (ongoing neck stiffness, multiple urgent care visits) is exactly the kind of thing that can escalate, and having someone in your corner before you accidentally say the wrong thing to an adjuster or accept a premature settlement is just smart. Again, not telling you what to do — just saying the consult itself is low-risk.

Honestly just the fact that he's blaming YOU for stopping at a crosswalk for a mom with a stroller is infuriating. You did everything right. I hope you get this sorted out without too much more stress — it sounds like you have solid evidence on your side at least.

Two things: back up that dashcam footage right now if you haven't already — multiple places, cloud and a USB drive. And get that witness's statement in writing or at minimum a text from her confirming what she saw. Evidence has a way of becoming more important later than it seems at the beginning. Do those two things today.