Page 17 - ATR 4 2021 digital

Crash Hustlers

Staged “accidents” are on the rise; experts advise how truckers can fight back

common for many years, but then ring was sentenced to 48 months in
By Steve Brawner happened less often at the turn of the federal prison for participating in a
Contributing Writer millennium when crooks shifted their staged accident that resulted in $4.7
focus to internet-based fraud. They million in court settlements with
Fraudulently staged “accidents” returned with the advent of the Great C.R. England. That carrier and also
targeting truckers are increasing, but Recession around 2008 and 2009 and Southeastern Motor Freight have filed
motor carriers can fight back with video have increased since then. racketeering lawsuits against the perpe-
evidence, by educating their drivers and In Louisiana, an organized crime trators.
by being prepared before the encounter ring led by an attorney staged a series
happens. of accidents that so far has led to 33 DANGEROUS PLOTS FROM
That advice came from Matthew indictments and 23 guilty pleas, as CRIMINAL MINDS
Smith, executive director of the reported by Transport Topics. The attor- Fraudsters are targeting commer-
Coalition Against Insurance Fraud and ney in June pleaded guilty to conspiracy cial vehicles for several reasons, Smith
an attorney who for 35 years defended to commit mail and wire fraud and said. First, while a passenger car may
insurance companies in court. faces up to five years in prison. In June, or may not carry adequate insurance, a
Smith said staged accidents were a married couple that was part of the 

ARKANSAS TRUCKING REPORT | Issue 4 2021 17