In an Accident? Look out for Staged Accidents

Thursday, January 7, 2016

In an Accident? Look out for Staged Accidents

Written by Malman Law, reviewed by Steve J. Malman.

After an accident, you expect that the person truly responsible will take responsibility for their actions. You may be a safe driver who follows the rules of the road, but what if you were in an accident where it is difficult to determine who is at fault? In these situations, it is always important to look out for signs that you may be the victim of a staged accident. Staged accidents are common in the United States and on the rise. Luckily, these accidents are easy to spot, and not only will those responsible face criminal charges, but they will be held liable for your injuries and losses as well.

The Swoop and Squat

This is the most common type of staged accident. While you are driving on the freeway or street, you will have two cars pass you. One will be in the lane next to you, keeping you from moving over, and another will quickly pull in front of you and slam on their brakes, forcing you to rear end them. You will typically be cited by the police for following too close, even though the cars forced you to rear end them.

The Bullet and Target

This occurs when a driver appears to be courteous, waving you into the intersection or allowing you to pass in front of them; but, as you start to pass, they speed up, rear-ending your car. Then, they tell the police officers at the scene that you cut them off or were speeding.

The Drive Down

Say you are at a shopping mall or your local grocery store and are loading your vehicle. You see someone pull up and wait patiently for you to leave. They may even have their blinker on signaling to others that they will take the spot once you pull out. But, as you start to back out, they speed up and hit the back of your car. They will then try to tell police that you backed out into traffic.

How Documentation Can Help

If you document what happens at the accident scene, you can avoid becoming a victim of these horrific acts. These individuals purposely cause accidents to win settlements, and they will often pack their vehicles with more than one passenger to maximize the payout – without any consideration for the safety of those in the other cars. If you are in an accident, write down what happened before, during, and after. Look for witnesses who saw the accident and get the names and contact information of multiple witnesses. Also, be aware that these individuals will often plant witnesses – so the more names you get, the more likely it is you will have someone who tells the truth.

Speak With an Attorney Regarding Your Injuries

If you were injured in an accident, whether it was staged or not, contact the attorneys at Malman Law for a consultation. We can assess your case and determine what compensation you may be entitled to. Call us at 888-625-6265 to schedule a free consultation, or fill out an online contact form with your questions.