A Derbyshire gang of criminals staged 41 crashes in 2011 and 2013 and fraudulently claimed £420,000 as a result. This is a growing problem and tactics include breaking hard, for no apparent reason, in the hope the car behind will fail to stop which results in a collision. Another tactic is slowing to allow another driver out of a junction and flashing them to pull out. The person who has given way then accelerates and crashes into the side of the car which has pulled out of the junction into their path.
A total of 12 men, who set up two claims management companies to deal with the claims by using stolen or fake identities, along with false medical records, have been before Nottingham Crown Court and have been charged with conspiracy to commit fraud. Sentencing is due on April 6th 2017.
Here at Russell Worth we are glad these men have been exposed. This is not a victimless crime. Innocent members of the public are at risk of serious injury. This national wide scam is worth roughly £400m a year and as honest policyholders we pick up a collective bill for fraud through increased premiums.
If you have been involved in an accident and feel it may have been staged we recommend the following:-
1. Do not admit responsibility for anything – this is good advice regardless of accident circumstances.
2. Insist on calling the Police.
3. Do not voice your suspicions to the other driver – safety is paramount.
4. Take photograph if is it safe to do so.
5. Report to your insurers as soon as possible and request they lodge your suspicion the accident was caused deliberately.
6. Report to the Insurance Fraud Bureau either online or by calling their Cheatline, anonymously on 0800 422 0421.
Due to this growing problem it is becoming increasingly common for road users to install dash mounted cameras in their car which can be priceless in providing evidence of falling victim to the ‘cash for crash’ scam. If you have been involved in a road traffic accident please call us for free, no obligation advice on your legal rights and have any questions you may have answered.
Free Claim Assessment
If you have been injured and would like a free Claim Assessment so that you can discover your rights, please call us now on 0800 028 2060 or complete our Online Claim Assessment.
