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Wherever is money flowing, con artists are sure to gather, and the road is no different. The high cost of vehicles and prevalence of collision insurance means there are many opportunities for scammers to take advantage and put some cash into their pockets. Understanding the common forms that car accident scams take is crucial to avoid falling for these traps and being on the hook for a high payout.
Beware of Scams!
In any type of automobile collision, you should take steps to protect yourself both physically and financially. If you suspect a scam, collecting all available evidence becomes even more crucial since it may be used for an eventual criminal case.
You should also always call law enforcement to the scene of a crime for an official police report. People willing to scam you will have no problem lying to get their way, so you will want to get any eyewitness statements you can.
Here carrefour very common car accident scams and how you can reduce your risk of falling prey to them.
1. Forced Rear-End
Also known as “the swoop and squat,” a forced rear-end accident is one of the most common car accident scams. The swoop and squat is an attempt to have your car rear-end a vehicle in front of you so its driver can make a claim against you. Because rear-end collisions are almost universally the fault of the rear vehicle, this scam is highly effective.
Sometimes a second scam car is used to swoop in and slam their brakes in front of the vehicle you will hit. This gives the scammers an even better case, as then the middle car has a valid reason for braking. The first car will often disappear quickly to help cover up the scammers’ tracks or make it appear like you had no reason to rear-end anyone.
2. Staged Accident
Staging an accident is as simple as a scammer with the right of way giving you permission to proceed and then forcing a collision. They may lie and say they never waved, or they might claim they were swatting a fly, scratching their nose, or something else ridiculous.
This car accident scam is also known as the drive down, and it is relatively easy to avoid. If you always follow the right-of-way system, you can not be trapped in a situation where it looks like you caused the accident.
3. Bad Actors
Shady helpers might appear at the scene of a collision and offer you help in some way. This aid could be in the form of a recommendation or a direct offer for services such as vehicle repairs, medical care, or even legal advice. Often, these bad actors are working directly with the scammer involved in the collision.
Bad actors are simply people or businesses looking to profit off your situation. They may be looking for their cut of your legitimate insurance claim, or they could be positioning themselves to make fraudulent claims on your behalf. Be careful who you give your contact information to at the scene of the accident.
4. Intentional Sideswipe
An intentional sideswipe is a specific type of staged accident that can be harder to prevent. If your car is ever encroaching on a different lane, opportunists may use this chance to brush their car against yours. You could almost always be found at fault in the car accident because you were outside of your lane.
Dual turn lanes are an easy place for sideswipes to take place. Many dual turn lanes do not have lines that follow their path through the entire intersection, allowing vehicles to drift into the wrong lane. Be extra cautious when using these lanes.
Protect Yourself
Avoiding these scams can be as simple as sharpening up your awareness and driving skills. However, con artists are clever, and someone out there could always find a way to bypass your protection.
Dashcams have become increasingly popular in recent years as an extra layer of protection against fraudulent claims against drivers. Stay vigilant and keep video evidence of whatever you can. And if fraudsters manage to place the blame for a staged crash on you, you can get in touch with an experienced attorney like this Atlanta car accident lawyer who can turn things in your favor and even get the con artists prosecuted.
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