When individuals attempt to deceive insurance companies during a personal injury claim, the results may have a considerable impact. According to the Insurance Information Institute, a 2022 study by an insurance fraud prevention group revealed that intentional fraud cost American consumers nearly $308 billion across several different insurance industries.
Sometimes, when individuals submit insurance claims for a personal injury case, they may try to gain more compensation than the claim is actually worth. This type of padding might occur when the plaintiff understands that the defendant has deep pockets and hopes for a significant financial score, but insurance companies can fight this type of fraud in several ways.
Reviewing the scene
Some individuals who seek to defraud an insurance company and pad their claims may stage accidents and then fake injuries. Reviewing the scene carefully for signs of staging may assist insurance adjusters and officers discover suspicious circumstances, such as:
- Merging car accidents caused by one driver waving another into a lane
- Multiple passengers who do not complain of injuries until police arrive
- Drivers who brake suddenly and cause rear-end collisions
Inspecting the scene for signs of staging can prevent fraudulent personal injury cases.
Reviewing injury reports
Individuals who seek to pad their personal injury claim may exaggerate their injuries or claim they have invisible damage as a result of the accident, such as post-traumatic stress disorder. While such issues may develop after an injury, claiming new or worsening mental illness is often a common path for fraud as well, so a frank and in-depth review of such claims can assist insurance adjusters.
Individuals who seek to commit insurance fraud may also ask others to file duplicate forms for them or fake certain types of documentation.