Accident or Intention: Protect Your Family from Accident Fraud

Car accident lawyers can help if your family falls victim to a case of accident fraud. Getting involved in a crash is always stressful, but many people don’t realize that collisions are often intentional. Scammers look to make claims against your automobile insurance company or their own for fake car damage and injuries. Organized crime rings are even involved in accident fraud.

Types of Fraudulent Accidents

Some types of accidents are commonly staged for the purpose of fraud. If you become familiar with the sneaky strategies used by scammers, you are better equipped to avoid falling victim to them. The following are a few examples of common collision scams:

  • A motorist suddenly pulls in front of your vehicle and slams on the brakes, causing an unavoidable rear-end collision. In this type of case, passengers are often in the suspect vehicle. They pretend to have suffered whiplash injuries such as neck and back pain.
  • If you are in the outside lane of a dual left-turn lane, a scammer might deliberately ram you. There may be fake witnesses, as well, to back up the fraud’s story.
  • As you attempt to merge into traffic, a person may slow down as though to wave you in and then crash into your vehicle once you move ahead.

An additional method for making the most of a fake collision is that the scammer will stage nearby helpers, to direct you toward a specific body shop, medical clinic, or lawyer.

What to do if you Suspect an Accident is Fraudulent

Facts are your best protection against liability associated with a fraudulent collision. Personal injury attorneys like Doug Beam and other reputed law professionals can help the injured claim their deserving compensation money. However, it requires proper factual evidence to prove that the collision wasn’t wrongfully intended from your side. Facts can help a lawyer to claim reparations. If you are subject to an accident, take photographs from all angles of involved vehicles, and give special attention to the damage. Include photos of the license plate as well as pictures of the driver and any of his or her passengers. Jot down detailed notes about everything pertaining to the crash. In addition, get the following information about the other motorist and, where applicable, the passengers:

  • Auto insurance details
  • Vehicle registration information
  • Driver’s license number
  • Name, address, and phone number
  • General height, weight, and ethnicity of the driver and passengers in the other vehicle

If you suspect that you have been involved in a staged collision, call the police and contact qualified personal injury or car accident lawyers. Report the same information to your auto insurance company.

How to Avoid Accident Fraud

Remain alert, drive cautiously, and be prepared when you drive, to avoid accident fraud. Always have a camera, pen, and paper handy so that you can take photographs and write notes at the scene of an accident. You may be at higher risk than other drivers. The following are risk factors for being targeted for accident fraud:

  • If you drive a work vehicle, including an 18-wheeler. Payouts involving these types of vehicles tend to be more generous.
  • If your car is a new or luxury vehicle. These types of automobiles usually have higher insurance limits.
  • If you are a woman or an older adult. Scam artists may consider these drivers easier intimidation targets.

There are many potential negative consequences for victims of accident fraud. You could end up being required to pay for damages you aren’t responsible for. There are inconveniences that can take up a lot of your time. Your insurance premiums could go up. Worst of all, you could suffer trauma or injury. Fatalities are sometimes involved, as well. For these reasons and more, don’t hesitate to contact car accident lawyers, if you’ve been in an accident possibly involving accident fraud.