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| Fraud Investigation |
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The profitable nature of these types of staged accidents has led to the terminology “crash for cash" scams. In other words, defrauders think of staged
accidents as a means of getting wealthy.
Beyond staged traffic accidents, still other forms of hard auto insurance involve the filing of a claim when the person was not actually involved in the
accident. For example, when a vehicle was rear-ended in a crash, there might only be one person in the car. But, when the claim is filed with the
insurer, there may be 4 or 5 people who claimed that they were also in the car at the time of the accident.
Another form of hard auto insurance fraud involves the submission of claims for medical treatment that was not actually received. Often, an insured will
make an arrangement with a deceptive chiropractic specialist or medical doctor, wherein the insured allows the specialist or doctor to bill the insurer for
services, even though they are never received. The insured then receives some portion of the chiropractic or medical fees.
And finally, some auto insurance fraud involves the outright fabrication of injuries. These injuries often involve soft tissue injuries of the neck or back.
These specific types of injuries are difficult to identify medically.
These fraudulent auto insurance claims often directly shape the existence of innocent people through accidental or purposeful injury or damage. And,
even if consumers are not directly affected by a staged traffic accident, both soft and hard auto insurance fraud causes general consumer premiums to
be higher than necessary. Auto insurance fraud adds an estimated 13-18 billion to the annual insurance bills that Americans must pay.
The accident reconstruction experts at Crash Data Services, LLC offer investigative services such as crash data retrieval or general accident
reconstruction techniques to help explore suspicious claims.
Crash data retrieval is the process by which reconstructionists download the recorded data from inside a vehicle’s black box, or event data recorder
(EDR). An EDR is generally located in the airbag control module (ACM) or powertrain control module (PCM) of a vehicle. The data from these
modules can supply crucial information for use in the analysis of a traffic accident.
accidents as a means of getting wealthy.
Beyond staged traffic accidents, still other forms of hard auto insurance involve the filing of a claim when the person was not actually involved in the
accident. For example, when a vehicle was rear-ended in a crash, there might only be one person in the car. But, when the claim is filed with the
insurer, there may be 4 or 5 people who claimed that they were also in the car at the time of the accident.
Another form of hard auto insurance fraud involves the submission of claims for medical treatment that was not actually received. Often, an insured will
make an arrangement with a deceptive chiropractic specialist or medical doctor, wherein the insured allows the specialist or doctor to bill the insurer for
services, even though they are never received. The insured then receives some portion of the chiropractic or medical fees.
And finally, some auto insurance fraud involves the outright fabrication of injuries. These injuries often involve soft tissue injuries of the neck or back.
These specific types of injuries are difficult to identify medically.
These fraudulent auto insurance claims often directly shape the existence of innocent people through accidental or purposeful injury or damage. And,
even if consumers are not directly affected by a staged traffic accident, both soft and hard auto insurance fraud causes general consumer premiums to
be higher than necessary. Auto insurance fraud adds an estimated 13-18 billion to the annual insurance bills that Americans must pay.
The accident reconstruction experts at Crash Data Services, LLC offer investigative services such as crash data retrieval or general accident
reconstruction techniques to help explore suspicious claims.
Crash data retrieval is the process by which reconstructionists download the recorded data from inside a vehicle’s black box, or event data recorder
(EDR). An EDR is generally located in the airbag control module (ACM) or powertrain control module (PCM) of a vehicle. The data from these
modules can supply crucial information for use in the analysis of a traffic accident.
| Property and casualty insurance fraud costs Americans about $30 billion each year. - National Insurance Crime Bureau |
Insurance fraud is any act committed with the intent to fraudulently obtain
compensation from an insurer. This includes the misrepresentation of the
circumstances surrounding a traffic accident.
The accident reconstruction experts at Crash Data Services, LLC recognize
that automotive insurance fraud poses a very significant problem. Therefore,
our reconstructionists offer organizations the assistance that they need in
preventing such activities.
Generally, insurance fraud is fought by fraud bureaus. Fraud bureaus are
state agencies charged with the investigation and prosecution of insurance
fraud in their state. Most states have fraud bureaus which investigate fraud
across nearly all lines of insurance, including automotive. However, there are
those states that do not have multi-line fraud bureaus. Those states are
Alabama, Illinois, Maine, Michigan, Oregon, Vermont, Wisconsin, and
Wyoming.
Those states without insurance fraud bureaus, such as Illinois, rely heavily on
private industry special investigation units (SIU) to identify and deter
fraudulent insurance claims. The accident reconstruction experts at Crash
Data Services, LLC can assist these SIU agents by providing clearly
articulated evidence of automotive insurance fraud.
compensation from an insurer. This includes the misrepresentation of the
circumstances surrounding a traffic accident.
The accident reconstruction experts at Crash Data Services, LLC recognize
that automotive insurance fraud poses a very significant problem. Therefore,
our reconstructionists offer organizations the assistance that they need in
preventing such activities.
Generally, insurance fraud is fought by fraud bureaus. Fraud bureaus are
state agencies charged with the investigation and prosecution of insurance
fraud in their state. Most states have fraud bureaus which investigate fraud
across nearly all lines of insurance, including automotive. However, there are
those states that do not have multi-line fraud bureaus. Those states are
Alabama, Illinois, Maine, Michigan, Oregon, Vermont, Wisconsin, and
Wyoming.
Those states without insurance fraud bureaus, such as Illinois, rely heavily on
private industry special investigation units (SIU) to identify and deter
fraudulent insurance claims. The accident reconstruction experts at Crash
Data Services, LLC can assist these SIU agents by providing clearly
articulated evidence of automotive insurance fraud.
For more information about crash data retrieval,
download examples and a detailed description
of this service, please click here.
download examples and a detailed description
of this service, please click here.
Our experts can also adapt general accident
reconstruction techniques to automotive insurance
fraud investigation.
Vehicle damage evaluations can be utilized by our
experts to assess what type of accident a vehicle
was in, what it struck, or how old vehicle damage
is. Occupant kinematic evaluations can help our
reconstructionists explain which person was
operating a vehicle when it crashed. And full
accident reconstruction assessments can provide
dynamic details, such as how fast a vehicle was
traveling or how two vehicles interacted during a
collision.
All of the accident reconstruction experts who
perform investigative services for Crash Data
Services, LLC are graduates of Northwestern
University’s Center for Public Safety Accident
Reconstructionist Program and/or are certified
reconstructionists by the Accreditation Commission
for Traffic Accident Reconstruction (ACTAR).
reconstruction techniques to automotive insurance
fraud investigation.
Vehicle damage evaluations can be utilized by our
experts to assess what type of accident a vehicle
was in, what it struck, or how old vehicle damage
is. Occupant kinematic evaluations can help our
reconstructionists explain which person was
operating a vehicle when it crashed. And full
accident reconstruction assessments can provide
dynamic details, such as how fast a vehicle was
traveling or how two vehicles interacted during a
collision.
All of the accident reconstruction experts who
perform investigative services for Crash Data
Services, LLC are graduates of Northwestern
University’s Center for Public Safety Accident
Reconstructionist Program and/or are certified
reconstructionists by the Accreditation Commission
for Traffic Accident Reconstruction (ACTAR).
For more information about our general accident
reconstruction techniques and a detailed
description of this services, please click here.
reconstruction techniques and a detailed
description of this services, please click here.
| Crash Data Services, LLC is also proud to support the fight against insurance fraud through our membership in the Illinois Chapter of The National Society of Professional Insurance Investigators (NSPII) and the Illinois Chapter of The International Association of Special Investigation Units (IASIU). |
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The complexity of automotive insurance scams varies greatly. They generally fall into one of two categories, either soft automotive insurance fraud
or hard auto insurance fraud.
Soft automotive insurance fraud can involve the exaggeration of injuries sustained as a result of a traffic accident. The Rand Institute for Civil Justice
estimates that one third of people hurt in traffic accidents exaggerate their injuries.
Or, a person might file a claim over a real injury, but one that did not actually result from the collision in which they were involved. Still other motorists
will try to pump up the value of a claim by misrepresenting the actual cost to repair their vehicle. Many of these types of auto insurance fraud are
performed with the hopes of off-setting the premium of the policy.
Hard automotive insurance fraud, however, can be much more dangerous. These types of auto insurance scams can include staged automobile
collisions. One of the most infamous forms of the staged accident is the swoop and squat. The swoop and squad involves two offending vehicles
and one unsuspecting victim. In this case, one of the offending vehicles drives in front of the victim, while the second offending vehicle swerves in front
of the first. The first offending vehicle then abruptly slams on the brakes, causing the victim vehicle to rear-end it. Often, the defrauders who
perpetrate this type auto insurance scam will target persons talking on cell phones, driving with children or infants in the vehicle, or the elderly.
or hard auto insurance fraud.
Soft automotive insurance fraud can involve the exaggeration of injuries sustained as a result of a traffic accident. The Rand Institute for Civil Justice
estimates that one third of people hurt in traffic accidents exaggerate their injuries.
Or, a person might file a claim over a real injury, but one that did not actually result from the collision in which they were involved. Still other motorists
will try to pump up the value of a claim by misrepresenting the actual cost to repair their vehicle. Many of these types of auto insurance fraud are
performed with the hopes of off-setting the premium of the policy.
Hard automotive insurance fraud, however, can be much more dangerous. These types of auto insurance scams can include staged automobile
collisions. One of the most infamous forms of the staged accident is the swoop and squat. The swoop and squad involves two offending vehicles
and one unsuspecting victim. In this case, one of the offending vehicles drives in front of the victim, while the second offending vehicle swerves in front
of the first. The first offending vehicle then abruptly slams on the brakes, causing the victim vehicle to rear-end it. Often, the defrauders who
perpetrate this type auto insurance scam will target persons talking on cell phones, driving with children or infants in the vehicle, or the elderly.
However, crash data retrieval does not just allow
our experts to look for certain symptoms associated
with fraudulent accident claims. Our accident
reconstruction experts can also utilize crash data
retrieval as a means of promptly making accurate
and justifiable claims assessments when significant
financial risk is involved.
our experts to look for certain symptoms associated
with fraudulent accident claims. Our accident
reconstruction experts can also utilize crash data
retrieval as a means of promptly making accurate
and justifiable claims assessments when significant
financial risk is involved.
Automotive insurance fraud has existed since the time that auto insurance policies first became available to consumers. Fraudulent auto claims
account for a significant portion of all claims received by insurers, and cost billions of dollars annually.
Types of automotive insurance fraud are varied, and take place across all lines, including liability only, commercial, and comprehensive policies.
Fraudulent auto insurance claims can involve exaggerated claims of injury. Or, they can involve deliberately caused or staged accidents.
account for a significant portion of all claims received by insurers, and cost billions of dollars annually.
Types of automotive insurance fraud are varied, and take place across all lines, including liability only, commercial, and comprehensive policies.
Fraudulent auto insurance claims can involve exaggerated claims of injury. Or, they can involve deliberately caused or staged accidents.
Crash data can give our accident reconstruction
experts a more detailed assessment of speed and
crash severity. Crash severity is, of course, the
general mechanism of injury. This particular
information could be used to refute those hard
insurance fraud claims where the occupant fabricates
an injury.
experts a more detailed assessment of speed and
crash severity. Crash severity is, of course, the
general mechanism of injury. This particular
information could be used to refute those hard
insurance fraud claims where the occupant fabricates
an injury.
The above download illustrates a relatively large crash pulse that took place over a relatively
short period of time. Larger crash pulses with short durations are generally more likely to
cause injury.
short period of time. Larger crash pulses with short durations are generally more likely to
cause injury.
The above download illustrates a relatively small crash pulse that took place over a relatively
long period of time. Smaller crash pulses with longer durations are generally less likely to
cause injury.
long period of time. Smaller crash pulses with longer durations are generally less likely to
cause injury.
Some vehicles are even equipped with occupant
detection devices. These devices and their status
are often recorded during an accident. So, if the
front passenger seat was not occupied during an
accident, the crash data might be able to refute a
claim that more than one individual was in a vehicle
when a collision occurred.
detection devices. These devices and their status
are often recorded during an accident. So, if the
front passenger seat was not occupied during an
accident, the crash data might be able to refute a
claim that more than one individual was in a vehicle
when a collision occurred.
In the above download, we see that the vehicle was capable of recording occupant
information. When the vehicle was in an accident, the front passenger seat was “Empty”.
information. When the vehicle was in an accident, the front passenger seat was “Empty”.
In the above data downloaded from the Chevy Blazer, it becomes readily apparent that the
vehicle did not stop for its stop sign. Instead, the vehicle was traveling about 14 MPH when it
violated the sign.
vehicle did not stop for its stop sign. Instead, the vehicle was traveling about 14 MPH when it
violated the sign.
In the above accident, a Chevy Blazer and Chrysler 300 collided in an intersection. Both
drivers claim that they stopped for their stop sign. At least one driver from this collision cannot
be telling the truth.
drivers claim that they stopped for their stop sign. At least one driver from this collision cannot
be telling the truth.
Crash data retrieval can also help our reconstruction experts determine if reported accident scenarios are possible. For example, many vehicles now
record speed and brake use. This can be particularly useful to our reconstructionists when identifying staged accidents. If a vehicle was driven with the
intent to strike another vehicle, then the pre-crash data can show signs of intentional vehicle misuse.
record speed and brake use. This can be particularly useful to our reconstructionists when identifying staged accidents. If a vehicle was driven with the
intent to strike another vehicle, then the pre-crash data can show signs of intentional vehicle misuse.
Disclaimer: Crash Data Services, LLC and crashdataservices.net provide the information in this web site for informational purposes only. The information is not intended to
be legal advice or an expert opinion and should not be construed as such. The use of this site does not create a contractor/client relationship with any employee of Crash
Data Services, LLC. Each investigation is different. Case results depend on a variety of factors unique to each case. The results of any investigation/reconstruction do not
guarantee or predict a similar result in any future case undertaken by Crash Data Services, LLC
be legal advice or an expert opinion and should not be construed as such. The use of this site does not create a contractor/client relationship with any employee of Crash
Data Services, LLC. Each investigation is different. Case results depend on a variety of factors unique to each case. The results of any investigation/reconstruction do not
guarantee or predict a similar result in any future case undertaken by Crash Data Services, LLC
Insurance fraud investigators and
claims adjusters are now eligible to
become certified Crash Data Retrieval
Technicians. Please visit our crash
data retrieval training page to learn
more about this opportunity or to
schedule a class.
claims adjusters are now eligible to
become certified Crash Data Retrieval
Technicians. Please visit our crash
data retrieval training page to learn
more about this opportunity or to
schedule a class.
