A car accident is something no one plans on experiencing and no one looks forward to. All accidents are traumatic and can damage victims emotionally and physically. While most accidents are due to negligence and are truly accidental,” there are those that are done on purpose. Some individuals will create an accident in order to collect more money from an insurance company. These are known as staged accidents. Staged accidents are extremely dangerous and can leave the victims paying out funds for something they didn’t cause.
If you suspect you are the victim of a staged accident, it is important to protect yourself. Not only should you report your suspicions to the police, but you should also contact an attorney right away. Those found responsible for staged accidents are not just criminally liable – they can be held civilly liable too.
The Types of Car Accident Scams
All staged car accidents are done with extreme care. The goal is, after all, to make it look as though the innocent party is the guilty party – and get as much money as possible from their insurance company. Because they are so well-planned, they can also be easy to spot, especially if you know the common types of planned accidents, which include:
- T-Bone Accidents – This is when a car will wait for your vehicle to start through an intersection and then they will accelerate as fast as possible to ensure your vehicle strikes them from the side. When the police arrive, phony witnesses will testify that you were speeding and/or ran a traffic signal.
- The Wave – The other driver will notice that you are trying to switch lanes and they will wave you in. Then, as you attempt to change the lane, the driver accelerates and causes a collision with your vehicle. When the police arrive, the driver will tell the police that you cut them off.
- Sideswipe – A driver in the outer lane will turn and hit your vehicle even if you just move slightly out of your lane. Then, when the police arrive they will claim that you were cutting into their traffic lane.
- Swoop and Stop – This is when a vehicle will pull in front of yours and hit their brakes. Another will pull up alongside you so that either way you go, you will hit another vehicle.
- Brake Slam – In this case, a driver will get in front of your vehicle and hit the brakes for no reason – forcing you to rear-end their vehicle in the process.
Claiming Phony Injuries
Sometimes these scam artists will go as far as to claim injuries that do not exist. They may claim that they have whiplash or other injuries and have doctors that are paid via their scam to validate their claims – even though the injuries do not actually exist.
Why Hiring an Attorney Early is Important
An attorney can help you prove that the other driver was negligent, especially by evaluating their driving history, reviewing the police reports, and gathering statements from non-planted witnesses at the scene. If you are injured in a car accident, staged or not, take photos, get names, and always be prepared. Then, contact the attorneys at Schwartzapfel® Lawyers P.C. for a consultation. Schedule your appointment at 1-516-342-2200 or fill out an online contact form with your legal questions.
