How to Tell if I’m Involved in a Staged Auto Accident Fraud

Driving a car is an everyday necessity for a large majority of Missouri residents. While accidents happen all the time, most motorists pay attention while behind the wheel with the hope of avoiding a wreck. Unfortunately, there are others out there who are intent on causing an auto accident in an attempt to scam their way to a payday. Here are a few instances of auto accident fraud and some ways you can avoid becoming a victim out of such dangerously staged incidents.

3 Common Signs of Auto Accident Fraud

The goal of an auto accident scammer is to stage a non-fatal car accident, so they can sue you for potential damages or minor injuries. Here are three common signals that your car accident might be a staged event.

1. Slamming on the brakes.

   While this may occur for a legitimate reason, individuals that stage accidents like to pull in front of you and slam on their brakes, causing you to hit them. This scam may even involve multiple vehicles blocking you on all sides, ensuring there is no way for you to avoid hitting the car in front of you.

2. Waving you through a left turn.

   Staged with multiple cars, this is usually done at a 3- or 4-way stop. A driver on the opposite side will wave to you through to make your turn, then proceed to pull out in front of you, all while a third car crashes into your right side while you are looking the other way. This scenario puts you at fault.

3. Sideswiped by another car while merging.

   This type of fraud usually occurs out of the blue when you attempt to pull into traffic from a parked position on the side of a road. Suddenly, another car appears out of nowhere and slams into you, turning it into a case of your word against theirs.

Why You Should Hire a Lawyer to Combat Auto Accident Fraud

After being involved in a car accident, you will likely be dazed and confused and experience a range of swirling emotions that often cloud exactly what happened. Unfortunately, auto accident scammers are prepared to take advantage of such chaos and escalate the situation by angrily yelling, finger-pointing, feigning injury. They also like to bring false witnesses to the scene to help back their story and blur reality. Having an experienced car accident lawyer by your side can help expose the truth about a staged auto accident and gain your due compensation.

Trustworthy Missouri Car Accident Lawyers

If you suspect you were involved in auto accident fraud in the Missouri area or suffered an injury in a staged car accident, rely on the professional auto accident lawyers at Lanzotti & Rau to fight on your behalf. Our team of experienced lawyers can help you compile evidence to submit a car accident insurance claim and pursue legal action to win you compensation for your personal injury.

To learn more about our car accident legal services or how we handle our cases, call us today at 573-335-9300 to schedule a free consultation.