Not all car crashes are really accidents
Drivers are being warned about a rise in ‘crash for cash’ accidents.
Criminals are believed to make £350 million per year from the scams by tricking drivers into crashing into them, then making an insurance claim.
Have you been a victim of one of these scams?
One common method used by criminals to cause accidents is to brake suddenly when another car is close behind.
Scammers have also been known to swerve in front of other cars and even disconnect their brake lights to provoke accidents.
One driver was jailed for four-and-a-half years after single-handedly causing 93 separate accidents.
Last year it is believed there were up to 22,000 staged accidents. The huge cost to insurance companies results in higher premiums for law-abiding drivers.
What do you think can be done to stop ‘crash for cash’ accidents? Have you been involved in one? Share your views using the form below.
Keith Collantine, expert guide editor
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2 Comments
November 9, 2009 at 8:31 pm
Hi,
i have had accident not long ago.
I was selling furniture thru gumtree. Offered that I can deliver locally (have a van). Buyer told me to follow him to place where we should pick up some other furnitures and then deliver to his address.
Crash was when hi stopped suddenly and sharply at a big roundabout just after joining, causing me to crash into him. He was explaining that he stopped for ambulance, but me or even my passenger didn’t seen any!
He and his passenger didn’t want any medic or other help even when i stopped small ambulance just to check my passenger (chest pain).
few day later i received letters that both driver and his passenger “suffering” for back pain and something else and claiming for money…
and one thing: same day my passenger received text that can claim to 3750 pounds from insurance…
my van was written off.. had probblems with getting to work and many more… and they didnt pay for furnitures and didn’t bother to pick them up..
January 15, 2010 at 7:25 am
Hey definitely enjoyed reading the blog. Thought i’d send my thanks!