The Tampa Bay area is a busy and growing location, and that means there are many drivers traveling the roads, trucks delivering goods and tourists navigating unfamiliar streets. With so many people on the road, accidents happen, and people get hurt. If you were hurt in an accident caused by a negligent or reckless driver, you know you have certain rights.
Unfortunately, there are people who abuse the system and hope to get a payout from insurance, even if they are not actually true victims. In fact, there has been an increase in the number of fake accidents in the area. These scams are against the law, and they can complicate things for people who are actually hurt or even cause injuries to an innocent person.
What do you need to know about these scams?
There are drivers throughout the bay area that are intentionally causing accidents. For example, a driver at a red light recently experienced the driver of another car hitting his vehicle on purpose. The driver of the first vehicle backed into his car, then got out and demanded his insurance information. Eventually, the police arrived on the scene, and the other driver asked the man to lie to the police what actually happened.
There has been an increase in the number of these accidents in the area lately. This is concerning for victims of real accidents for various reasons. If you were in an accident, it is important for you to take immediate action to protect yourself in the following ways:
- Take pictures of the accident scene and document as much as possible to validate your side of the story.
- Call for law enforcement to come to the scene in case the at-fault driver attempts to leave or alter the scene in any way.
- Seek legal help immediately to deal with insurance and help you get the rightful recovery.
Unfortunately, scam artists make things more difficult for those who follow the rules, attempt to drive safely or need to file a legitimate claim after an accident.
Your first step after an accident
The aftermath of a serious crash can be complicated and confusing. It can be helpful to take immediate action to protect your interests by reaching out for legal help. An experienced Florida personal injury attorney understands the law and the system, and your legal ally will help you seek a rightful physical and financial recovery after any type of motor vehicle accident.