If you are a victim of a staged auto accident, you first need to seek medical attention and report the accident to the police. If possible, speak with any witnesses and take photos or videos of the crash scene. Proving a staged auto accident can be difficult, so gather as much evidence as you can.
Your next step is to consider consulting a car accident attorney in Dallas, Texas. A lawyer can investigate the facts of the case and help you determine if it was a staged auto accident. If so, they can build a case against the at-fault party and fight to get you a fair settlement. Since a staged auto accident is a fraud, you may have to appear in court.
What Is a Staged Auto Accident?
A staged auto accident is when a driver intentionally crashes their car into yours. The other driver stages the accident in a way that makes it appear that you are at fault.
They attempt to make the collision spontaneous, too. However, they might have been plotting the accident the entire time. The purpose of the staged auto accident is to scam your insurance company so that they can make thousands of dollars in fake damages.
A staged accident is a type of insurance fraud. According to Texas Penal Code § 35.02, insurance fraud over $2500 is a felony. Penalties can include prison time and fines. If you are the victim of a staged accident, you can also file a personal injury claim against the at-fault party or their insurance company.
What to Do If You Were Injured in a Staged Auto Accident
The first few steps you take after a staged accident are critical to pursuing your personal injury case.
Seek Medical Attention Immediately
If you were injured in a car accident, your priority is getting medical treatment. Even if you think that you may not be injured, it is still a good idea to visit the ER or your doctor for an exam.
Do not delay getting treatment. The longer you delay, the more difficult it is for you to prove that the accident led to your injuries. It also leaves more time for your injuries to worsen.
Document the Accident Scene
To recover damages, you will have to prove two things. First, you have to show that the other party is responsible for the accident. Second, you need to prove that they staged the accident.
If possible, try to document your case as much as possible. Speak with witnesses, take photos or videos of the accident scene, and get a copy of the police report.
Consult a Car Accident Attorney in Dallas, TX
If you believe that the other party staged the auto accident, you must build a convincing case. A car accident attorney can help. Your lawyer can investigate the accident and look for evidence of fault and liability. They can also represent you if you have to take your case to court.
Common Types of Staged Auto Accidents
It is important to identify staged auto accidents when they occur. Some of the most common types of collisions include:
Start and Stop
The at-fault party typically chooses heavy traffic as the scene for a start-and-stop accident. The driver in front of you accelerates, hoping you will follow closely. They suddenly slam on the brakes, causing you to rear-end their car.
Signal or Wave
In a signal or wave scam, the other driver will signal you to pull in front of them. As you pull in front of the other driver, they accelerate and hit your car in the side or rear. The driver then tells the police that they never signaled you to pull in front of them.
Swoop and Squat
This type of scam usually involves more than one driver. The first driver in front of you slams on the brakes. You have no choice but to brake or swerve. However, you can’t swerve because you are boxed in by drivers on either side of your car. As a result, you either rear-end the car in front of you or hit one of the cars to your side.
T-Bone Collision
A T-bone collision usually requires multiple witnesses and good timing. The other driver waits for you to cross an intersection. As you cross, the other driver slams into the side of your car. The other participants act as witnesses who claim that you ran a red light or were speeding through the intersection.
Loncar Lyon Jenkins Can Protect Your Rights After a Staged Auto Accident
If you were hurt or lost a loved one in a staged auto accident, now is the time to take action against the at-fault party. Loncar Lyon Jenkins can help you with your case. We take on tough car accident cases in Texas, including staged accidents. Call in the Strong Arm by phone or through our online form today to get a free case review.
