Broward Private InvestigationsA staged accident is a crash that someone causes on purpose, or one that never happened at all, so that people in the car can file injury and property claims. In Florida these schemes often target personal injury protection (PIP) benefits. Insurers and defense attorneys in Broward County hire licensed investigators to document the facts around a suspicious claim: who was really in the vehicles, how they are connected, how the crash happened, and whether claimed injuries match what the claimants do every day. This guide explains the law, the red flags and how that documentation is built.
What does Florida law say about staged accidents?
Florida’s insurance fraud statute, s. 817.234, F.S., covers several kinds of conduct:
- False claims. Presenting or preparing a false, incomplete or misleading statement in support of a claim, with intent to injure, defraud or deceive an insurer (s. 817.234(1)(a)).
- Staged crashes. Organizing, planning or knowingly participating in an intentional motor vehicle crash, or a scheme to create documentation of a crash that did not occur, to make motor vehicle tort or PIP claims. That is a second-degree felony with a 2-year mandatory minimum prison term (s. 817.234(9)).
- Runners. Soliciting people involved in a crash to make fraudulent motor vehicle tort or PIP claims is likewise a second-degree felony with a 2-year mandatory minimum (s. 817.234(8)(a)).
- Value tiers. Other fraud under the section is graded by the amount involved: a third-degree felony under 20,000 dollars, second-degree from 20,000 to under 100,000 dollars, and first-degree at 100,000 dollars or more (s. 817.234(11)).
Why does PIP matter?
Florida PIP pays 80 percent of reasonable, medically necessary expenses up to a limit of 10,000 dollars in medical and disability benefits, and medical benefits require initial services within 14 days after the accident (s. 627.736(1)(a), F.S.). Without a finding of an emergency medical condition, reimbursement is limited to 2,500 dollars. Those rules are why fraud schemes often move quickly from the crash to a clinic. An insured seeking PIP benefits must also comply with the policy, including submitting to an examination under oath, which is a condition precedent to receiving benefits (s. 627.736(6)(g)).
What are the red flags of a staged accident?
No single sign proves fraud, and many honest crashes have one or two of these. A pattern is what matters.
- The sudden stop. A car cuts in front of the insured and brakes hard with no traffic reason, so the insured rear-ends it. Sometimes a second car boxes the insured in.
- The wave-in. A driver waves the insured out of a parking lot or side street, then accelerates into them and denies waving.
- A full car of claimants in a low-speed impact, all reporting similar soft-tissue injuries.
- Quick lawyer and clinic involvement, with everyone treated at the same clinic on the same schedule.
- Connections between “strangers.” Drivers and passengers in different vehicles who share addresses, phone numbers, employers or social media connections.
- Repeat players. Claimants, vehicles or witnesses that appear in other recent claims.
- Damage that does not fit the story, or old damage presented as new.
- Recently purchased or recently insured vehicles, or policies bought shortly before the crash.
How do investigators document a suspected staged crash?
The scene
Visiting the location to photograph sight lines, traffic controls and nearby businesses; identifying cameras that may have captured the crash so counsel or the insurer can request footage before it is overwritten; and canvassing for independent witnesses. Locating a witness who has since moved is routine work, covered in our guide to locating a witness for a Broward case.
The people
Verifying identities, addresses and employment of drivers and passengers through public records; looking for links between the parties, prior claims and lawsuits in court records; and checking corporate records for clinics, towing companies or body shops that appear across several claims. Our background investigations cover this work.
The claimed injuries
Lawful surveillance from public places can show whether a claimant who reports being unable to work is lifting, exercising or working a job. Investigators record date, time and location and keep original video files intact so the evidence can be authenticated.
Public online activity
Public posts that place claimants together before the crash, or show activities inconsistent with claimed injuries, captured with dates and URLs.
Who hires investigators for staged accident claims?
- Insurers. Every insurer admitted in Florida must either maintain an anti-fraud unit or contract with others to investigate and report possible fraudulent insurance acts, and report possible fraud to the state’s Division of Criminal Investigations (s. 626.9891, F.S.). Outside investigators often handle field work for those units.
- Defense attorneys. Lawyers defending drivers, fleet owners and insurers use investigation findings to prepare examinations under oath, depositions and motions. See our attorney services.
- Businesses with vehicles. Delivery, rideshare, and service fleets whose drivers are targeted.
Staged auto claims are a different problem from employee injury claims; if your concern is a workplace injury, see workers’ compensation fraud investigations in Broward. For other schemes, see our fraud investigations page.
What if I think I was the target?
If you believe someone caused a crash with you on purpose, call the police, photograph everything including the other car’s occupants and plates, note any witnesses, and tell your insurer about your concerns. Do not confront the other driver.
Broward Private Investigations works with licensed Florida private investigators across Broward County, including the I-95, I-595 and Florida’s Turnpike corridors. Insurers, attorneys and fleet owners can call (954) 235-4955 or contact us for a confidential consultation.