After an accident, you have the right to file for a claim with the insurance companies, as the San Diego insurance law states. However, there have been situations where a new form of fraud has been detected: staged auto collisions. This is designed to exploit unsuspecting drivers and establish false insurance claims to gain a considerable amount.
In this situation, it has been seen that scammers create accidents, and intentionally innocent drivers fall into a trap. The worst part is that the victim has to bear a high insurance premium and legal constraints for a long time. So, let’s learn what your first steps should be when you face such a scam and how to prevent it.
Types of Staged Auto Accidents
A staged auto accident is a tactic that helps scammers blame the victim and get a massive claim through fraudulent allegations. The scammers use a few common tactics to stage auto crashes and trap innocent drivers, such as:
- Swoop and Stop
In this scenario, the scammer would suddenly appear in front of your vehicle and put the brakes on, forcing you to force-stop the car, which would result in a rear-end collision.
- Panic Stop
You might find that the vehicle in front of you slams its brakes unexpectedly, catching you off guard, bringing the car to a halt, and causing a car accident.
- Wave-In Collision
You might find a driver waving at you to merge or turn the car, but their actual intention is to hit you and make it look like an accident that occurred due to your fault.
- Dual Driver Setup
Another common scammer is when you find a car in front of you, and a second car blocks your way out. Thus, you cannot determine the escape route, leading to a collision.
Steps to Take After a Staged Accident
After the accident, you need to take the below mentioned steps:
- Call the Police
If you find yourself a victim of a staged auto accident, you must inform the local police immediately. The officer in charge will create a report that objectively contains all the details about the accident. If you suspect it to be a fraud case or trace any suspicious behavior or actions, inform the officer, and they will conduct a thorough investigation.
- Document the Scene
Based on the guidance of your car accident lawyer San Diego, take photographs and videos of the entire accident scene, including the vehicles involved, road conditions, weather, injury, and any visible sign of damage to the property. It would help if you also recorded the license plates, how the cars were positioned during the accident, and nearby traffic signs. You must have a detailed set of documents to argue the fraudulent claims and show the facts.
- Gather Witness Information
If you can find any eye witness, it would be beneficial, as independent witnesses can provide unbiased accounts of the incident. They can also support your case and testify whether the accident was staged.
Conclusion
When discussing the accident scene, you should be cautious, as scammers can use anything you have said against you to justify their fraudulent claims. Thus, you can hire an experienced auto accident lawyer who would argue the statements placed by the scammers. They can also represent you in court to protect your rights if required.
