What will happen to me if I lied after an auto accident?
My ex girlfriend got into an auto accident last February when she lost control of my vehicle and crashed into a ramp wall coming off of an interstate. No one was hurt, as she had 3 other passengers in the car with her. She got a ride to my home two or three minutes down the road and told me what happened, and I told her and her nieces and nephew to stay at my house and not return to the scene. Problem is, it was my minivan and I had full coverage, but I told my insurance company that I was driving, and everyone else were the passengers. She also had no license at the time from a DUI conviction, and I knew this, but let her drive anyway. I lied to the police as well, when they came later that night, and even though the cops did not speak to her, I coached her on what to tell my insurance co. They ended up paying for my rental and cutting me a $10,000 check for the total loss. The cops sort of suspected something was off, but all they did was give me a citation for unsafe driving which I fought and got dismissed. Problem is, we broke up since then and she ended up reporting me AND my insurance co. I don't think my insurance co. will take any action, they claimed that what I did was wrong but not illegal. But should I be worried about a fraud charge? My ex girlfriend doesn't care, I think she's just ready to purge her conscience, but I have a state job that I will lose if they pursue this and go ahead with charges. My insurance co. said that since I had full coverage, my policy followed the car and not the driver and they would've paid out anyway. A friend of mine said once I lied to the insurance co. and the police, I committed fraud. Should I be worried? How far do you think they will go? Right now, it's just a complaint, and I have no prior criminal record except for a simple assault charge that was dismissed two years ago. The State is pretty tough on insurance fraud, but no one got hurt and my insurance company doesn't care. Can the Attorney General still pursue charges?
The Law Firm of Reed & Mansfield
| Jonathan C. Reed
Las Vegas, NV
Las Vegas, NV
Lying to an investigating police officer is a serious crime. Obviously, the police don't prosecute everyone who lies to them during an investigation. However, you are worried about this so I suggest you retain or consult with an experienced criminal defense attorney just in case you get prosecuted.
Answer Applies to: Nevada
Replied: 9/2/2011
Disclaimer: The response above does not form an attorney-client relationship. This answer may or may not apply to you and should not be relied upon as legal advice. LawQA does not make any representation as to the expertise or qualifications of this attorney. This attorney may or may not be admitted to state bar of your state.
Answer Applies to: Nevada
Replied: 9/2/2011
Disclaimer: The response above does not form an attorney-client relationship. This answer may or may not apply to you and should not be relied upon as legal advice. LawQA does not make any representation as to the expertise or qualifications of this attorney. This attorney may or may not be admitted to state bar of your state.
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