According to a report published in 2019 by SAS Institute and the Coalition Against Insurance Fraud, insurance fraud had increased significantly since 2014. Insurers spend millions every year investigating fake injury claims. While most fraudulent claims are minor, there are some that are serious and end up in court.
If you’ve been a victim of a serious car accident in Fall River, MA, you need to consult an auto accident attorney who can help you file an injury claim while preserving your rights.
This is because adjusters treat every case with suspicion and you have a higher burden of proof to convince them that your claim is legit. A good auto accident lawyer in Fall River, MA, can help with this.
Different Fraud Claims and How to Spot Them
A fake injury claim can be anything from a non-existent injury to an exaggerated one. There are two types of fake injury claims and they include:
Soft Fraud
This is very common and includes exaggerated injuries or using pre-existing injuries to fake a new injury. It’s important to note that the claims are usually legitimate but the claimants exaggerate the extent of their injuries.
Hard Fraud
This is a serious type of fraud because claimants go out of their way to stage accidents or set up situations that result in serious or fake injuries. This type of fraud might involve the police and could lead to imprisonment.
There is no foolproof way of preventing people from filing a false claim. They just need to associate themselves with an accident, your insurer’s number, and your contact information. Insurance companies often face the challenge of avoiding paying for fraudulent claims and acting in bad faith.
It’s therefore important that you recognize false claims to avoid giving scammers the chance to cash in on their claims.
How to Spot a Fake Injury Claim
If you have been involved in a car accident in Fall River, MA, you should be wary of drivers who want you to pay them in cash on the spot. They do this by making you feel like they are doing you a favor by not contacting the insurance company. In most situations, they will take your money and then file a claim days later with your insurer. Other ways you can spot a fake injury claim include:
Ambulance Chasers
A credible Fall River auto accident lawyer will not show up at the scene of an accident or at the hospital without you calling them. An ambulance chaser is a lawyer who shows up at accident scenes and hospitals to solicit clients. Not only is this bad ethical practice but it is illegal in the State of Massachusetts.
