Car collision scams can be a nightmare for unsuspecting drivers. These scams occur when a person deliberately causes an accident in order to receive money from their insurance company. They can take many forms, from staged accidents to fake injury claims. Avoiding these scams is essential to protect yourself and your finances. Let's look at some of the most common types of car collision scams and how you can avoid them.
Staged Accidents
A staged accident occurs when someone intentionally causes an accident with the intention of filing a false claim or inflating an existing claim for money. This could mean that someone slams on their brakes unexpectedly in order to cause an accident, or it could involve one driver waving you on but hitting you as soon as you go. In either case, the scammer will likely exaggerate the damage to their car and/or fabricate injuries so they can file a more significant insurance claim than they otherwise would have been able to.
Fake Injury Claims
Fake injury claims are similar to staged accidents but don't necessarily involve any physical contact between vehicles. Instead, the scammer might try to collect money from their insurance provider by:
- Pretending that they were injured in some way (even though they weren't)
- Intentionally jumping in front of your vehicle
- Lightly bumping into it while walking and feigning injury.
How Can You Protect Yourself?
One effective and commonly overlooked way to protect yourself from car crash scams is to install a dash cam. By having video footage, you can show proof that you were not at fault in a collision or other driving-related mishap. Furthermore, dash cams can be used as evidence to contest any false claims made against you by another driver. In addition to dash cams, it's important to be aware of your surroundings and never to admit fault. Scammers usually succeed in their tactics against unsuspecting victims by convincing them to admit to a mistake that never happened.
Car collision scams are becoming increasingly common due to the ease with which scammers can manipulate insurance companies into paying out large sums of money without being detected. However, if you know what signs to look out for, you can help protect yourself against these schemes by being aware of your surroundings and keeping track of suspicious behavior or activities near your vehicle while on the road. By taking these precautions, you can help ensure that you don't become another victim of this growing problem!
Protecting Your Rights with David A. Zipfel & Associates, LLC
If you are injured in a car accident, the team at David A. Zipfel & Associates, LLC can help you protect your rights and ensure that you receive the money to which you are entitled. We understand how difficult it can be to come out on top after a car accident, which is why we strive to provide aggressive and compassionate legal representation throughout the claims process. Contact us today to discuss your case and learn more about our services.
Call us at (860) 431-2102 or fill out our form online for a free consultation.