If you can believe it, some car accidents are not actually accidental. There are con artists out there scamming innocent drivers by staging car accidents. By learning the signs of a staged car accident, you can protect yourself from being liable for a scammer’s damages. Continue reading to learn more about staged car accidents, including the types to look out for and who to call for personalized advice regarding car accident injury claims.
Staged Car Accidents are Not Real Accidents, But They are Real Threats
A staged car accident is just that; a faked car accident set up to place liability on an innocent target in order to collect compensation for fake injuries and damages through the target’s insurance company. There is always more than one person conducting the scam, either another driver, pedestrian, or person on a motorcycle or bike. As a coordinated team, they intentionally cause a car accident with an oblivious driver, but in a way that makes the accident initially look like the target’s fault.
Once everything is all over, the other members of the team will disguise themselves as either injured victims, good Samaritans, or even witnesses. You can avoid being victimized by a car accident “stager” by knowing what a staged car accident looks like, and by hiring an Indianapolis auto accident attorney as soon as you are involved in a car wreck.
Types of Staged Auto Accidents
There are some common types of staged auto accidents, including the fender bender drive and dash, sudden brake slam, stop and go brake slam, and the false wave.
► Fender Bender Dash – Two drivers in separate cars will approach a target. The first driver will pull out abruptly in front of the target and then slow down to almost a stopping point. Then the second driver will pull out in front of the first driver, causing the first driver to slam on the brakes. This sudden stopping causes the target to collide into the back of the first driver, as the second driver drives off. The accident appears like a normal fender bender, with the target being the at-fault party.
► Brake Slams – There are two types of brake slamming scams. In both scenarios, the scammer will slam on their brakes directly in front of the target, causing the target to smash into the back of them. This can happen in stop and go traffic, or in regular driving scenarios.
► False Waves – Some car accident scammers will give targets the wave, allowing them to pull out in front or make a turn. But then right as the target makes their move, so does the scammer, hitting the vehicle directly. Afterwards, they deny that they ever gave the target driver the wave, making it look like the target driver’s fault.
Fake Witnesses and Good Samaritans
Staged car accident scammers are not always drivers. As mentioned, they often work as a team, disguising themselves as witnesses and even a good Samaritan who “just wants to help.” But beware of fake witness and good guys wanting to help you out at the scene of the accident. Look for the signs. If a person approaches you wanting to help out, even before you have time to call for assistance, be curious. Car accident scammers will set this up intentionally to give targets referrals for towing companies, auto repair shops, and even doctors and lawyers. If someone approaches you with this intention, avoid them. Other times, they will set up fake witnesses that will lie and say the target driver did something wrong when they in fact did not.
How to Avoid These Scams
To protect yourself from these kinds of scams, be sure you always contact the police to make a report as soon as you are in a car accident. Also, be sure to take plenty of pictures and videos of the surrounding evidence at the scene, including license plates, traffic signs, stop lights, and more. Also, meet with an experienced car accident lawyer to learn how to protect yourself from being held financially liable for your damages, as well as another’s. See our blog, “What to Do After A Car Accident That Was Not Your Fault” to help teach yourself and your loved ones some important tips for the same type of protection.
Were you recently injured in a car accident that was caused by another’s carelessness? Contact Carl Brizzi LAW at 317-636-7497 to learn how you can recover compensation with the help of a skilled Indianapolis IN car accident lawyer.
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