When a car crash isn’t an accident …

We all know that automobile accidents are expensive: We have to fix our cars, and, often, we have to fix our bodies, too. Sadly, today’s crooks use these realities to their advantage to defraud the public and the automobile insurance industry.

Dishonest drivers have been defrauding insurance companies as long as there have been cars on the road. Stories abound of people stressed during the Depression years faking the theft of their vehicles to collect the insurance money, which far exceeded the value of the car’s sale on the street.

Rumor has it that one Maine quarry with a deep pool of water at the bottom was a favorite place to dump a vehicle in order to make it appear “stolen.” It was only after so many cars had been dumped that they started to appear near the surface of the water that insurance adjusters caught on to the crime.

Today’s bad guys are more sophisticated. These folks are professionals and they often prey on senior citizens. They will stage an “accident” (truly a misnomer) in a variety of ways. They may cut in front of the victim’s vehicle and jam on the brakes. They may motion for the victim to pull out of a side street or parking slot and then ram them. The methods are countless, clever and meant to look accidental.

Next comes the not-so-amateur acting routine by the driver and all occupants of the rogue vehicle. They pretend to have seriously hurt their backs or necks. They claim they need medical attention.

The rattled victim may be injured himself and have hours and weeks of legwork to get appraisals for repairs for claim settlements, loss of vehicle use, increased insurance premiums, and perhaps a lawsuit or two from the perpetrators.

In the state of California alone, the crime of auto insurance fraud costs more than $200 million annually.

There are steps for honest motorists of any age to protect themselves if they believe that an accident was staged.

As soon as you can get yourself and your vehicle in a safe place, call police on a cell phone (everyone today carries one, correct?). You will be asked by the dispatcher if an ambulance is needed. If you are in doubt, your answer should always be yes. Always record the officer’s name and ask how to obtain a copy of the accident report and when it will be available.

Exchange license, registration and insurance data with the other driver, even if you are dubious about their authenticity.

Make note of the name, age, telephone number and address of every passenger in the other vehicle. Also note if the occupants of the other vehicle were wearing their seat belts. And note the behavior of the crash con artists. Do they markedly change their demeanor and medical complaints after police arrive on the scene?

Photograph or videotape the accident damage and the occupants of the suspect vehicle (discreetly, not blatantly). Consider carrying a cheap disposable camera in the glove compartment for such unpleasant occasions. Also very small, inexpensive camcorders can serve a similar purpose.

Lastly, remember that cell phone you carry? Today’s younger generation fully understands that many cell phones possess photograph and video capability. Many of us seniors and baby boomers are still marveling at the telephone function and completely forget that there may be a “Kodak moment” available at our fingertips. If you are an inept cameraphone rookie, get your son or granddaughter to teach you how to operate it. Photographs and videos may be used as evidence in future legal proceedings, if necessary.

If you witness an intentional car crash, be a good citizen. Help the victim and the police with important details you saw happen.

If the demolition derby crooks try to direct you to get auto repair help or medical assistance from a specific auto body company or individual physician, collect their information and then notify the state’s insurance fraud bureau. Exorbitantly padded medical bills and auto repair bills, complete with financial kickbacks to the collision criminal, are often the goal of such “steering” tactics.

The bad guys don’t just randomly run into someone’s vehicle. They carefully select their next victim. Brand new, expensive-to-repair vehicles and senior citizens and women are often targeted. Be aware. Be prepared. Fight back.

Consumer Forum is a collaboration of the Bangor Daily News and Northeast CONTACT, Maine’s membership-funded nonprofit consumer organization. Individual membership costs $25; business rates start at $125 (0-10 employees). For help and information write: Consumer Forum, Bangor Daily News, P.O. Box 1329, Bangor 04402-1329.