Staging Accidents to Defraud Insurance
The issue of people staging car accidents to bilk insurance companies is one we know may exist but do not often hear about. This week, three men in Southern California were charged with crimes committed in the course of 15 staged accidents, some of which seriously injured other motorists.
Los Angeles Staged Accidents
Three men were recently charged with staging a number of freeway accidents with the intention to defraud insurance companies. The charges detailed 15 accidents in Southern California that occurred in 2020, according to the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office.
The 15 collisions that are the subject of the charges resulted in injuries to 21 people, three of whom suffered severe injuries. The incidents happened between January and September of 2020. Most took place on various freeways in Los Angeles County, while one occurred in Orange County.
Details of the Staged Accidents
The three men would usually, but not always, be occupants of the same vehicle, always an older model. The driver would abruptly cut in front of another motorist then slam on the brakes in order to cause a crash. The men would be selective about the vehicle they cut off. They would try to determine which vehicles were likely to be insured. It seems as though they probably also gave some thought as to the amount of the insurance policy since many of the targeted vehicles were commercially owned.
No Regard for the Safety of Others
This scheme was not only terrible in the sense that they were looking to commit fraud, but they also had no regard for the safety of other motorists. In fact, they routinely put others’ lives at risk. This egregious negligence resulted in many innocent people suffering injuries. One man that they cut off suffered burn injuries after his vehicle caught fire. Another man suffered crush injuries to his leg, and yet another was left with severe back injuries.
Location of the Staged Accidents
The following highways were where the men executed their dishonest schemes:
- The 405 and 101 freeways
- The 5 in downtown L.A.
- The 605 and 91 freeways
The Suspects and How They Were Caught
Three men from Los Angeles were charged on August 31, 2021, each with various counts of insurance fraud and assault with a deadly weapon. They are accused of insurance fraud totaling nearly $330,000. If anyone had died as a result of the staged accidents, they likely would also be facing murder charges.
A vigilant California Highway Patrol (CHP) officer who had recently undergone training on how to spot a staged accident flagged an early incident after noticing some of the warning signs.
Watch the YouTube video. The clip below, uploaded by CNET, gives tips on how to spot staged accidents.
The Problem of Staged Accidents
Incidents of staged accidents, while not especially widespread, do occur. However, they do not usually occur on the freeway, probably because the wrongdoers realize they could suffer serious injuries if they are hit at highway speeds. That these men chose to perpetrate their crimes on the freeway made the schemes terribly dangerous, and resulted in serious injuries to several innocent motorists.
Sacramento Personal Injury Lawyer
Hello, and thank you for reading our piece on staged accidents. My name is Ed Smith, and I am a Sacramento personal injury attorney. While this story involves criminal behavior and egregious disregard for others’ lives, most car accidents are caused by standard driver negligence. If you have been injured in a car crash caused by another motorist’s carelessness or recklessness, call us to receive free and friendly legal advice. Our experienced injury lawyers can be reached to discuss your potential case at (916) 921-6400, (800) 404-5400. You may also send your inquiry online if you prefer.
Follow the links below to learn more about our firm’s services and results:
Photo attribution: https://pixabay.com/photos/police-arrest-handcuffs-crime-2122376/
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