What to Do if You’re a Victim of Car Insurance Fraud

When we get into a car accident, the last thing on our mind is whether the accident was caused on purpose or is staged. But maybe we should.

According to the Coalition Against Insurance Fraud, nearly one in four claims from the New York City metropolitan area — which includes Jersey City and Newark — have the appearance of car insurance fraud. In fact, claims from our area were more than four times as likely to involve fraud than the rest of the state.

Now that we know how often car insurance fraud can happen, what can you do if you’re a victim of it? For instance, you’re driving through an intersection when all of a sudden a car ignores the red light and hits your vehicle. You’re not injured but the driver of the other car claims his neck is injured. When the police arrive, a witness appears and claims that you were the one who ran the stop light, not the other driver. You protest but how can you prove you weren’t the cause of the accident?

Unfortunately, it may be hard to prove you’re not at fault. The best way to handle a case of car insurance fraud is to have all your facts straight. The more information you can provide, the more likely you can fight car insurance fraud. Here are a few things you should do:

• Takes pictures of the scene of the accident. Make sure you take extra focus on the damage. Also, make sure you get a picture of the license plate and photos of the drivers and passengers.
• Take as many notes as you can. Get all the contact information from the driver, including driver’s license number, vehicle registration, car insurance information, and contact information. Chances are if the driver is a scam artist, this is not his/her first time staging an accident.
• Try to find other witnesses at the scene who can back up your story.
• Always report the accident to your car insurance company and let them know you suspect fraud. The company may start its own investigation into the accident.
• And as with any auto accident, call the police. Especially if you think the accident was staged.

Remember, car insurance fraud not only steals money from the insurance company but can affect your driving record or raise your premiums. If you believe that you were a victim of car insurance fraud, we’re ready to help. Contact the Law Offices of Anthony Carbone today for a free consultation.

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