Government officials in the UK have issued a stark warning to drivers following an enormous spike in fraudulent accident claims. Dozens of incidents have been reported where a so-called “flash and smash” tactic has been used by unscrupulous motorists to force collisions and summarily claim hefty damaged.
The tactic involves motorists being allowed to pull into traffic by the offending party, who either waves or flashed their lights to signal their intent to yield. However, the party signaling to the waiting driver then continues forward and deliberately causes a collision, after which the driver denies waving or flashing the car’s lights so as to shift blame on the other unsuspecting party.
Insurers in the UK are investing extensive efforts in the reduction of fraudulent accident claims, as Britain falls victim to the ‘compensation culture’ that already plagues much of the US. These so-called “crash for cash” schemes have been on the rise for years, even since the UK’s contingency of personal injury and compensation lawyers began expanding beyond acceptable levels.
According to recent estimates, up to 380 fraudulent claims are filed every day in the UK, which has sent the average insurance premium price through the roof. And as the majority of those guilty of these “flash and smash” offences practice in secluded areas where there are no witnesses, there’s often little to no defense available for the victim.
“It is yet another example of how criminal gangs are becoming more sophisticated and attempting to stay one step ahead of suspicion,” spoke an APU official in the UK.
“The adoption of flashing headlights and beckoning the driver results in a ‘your word against mine’ situation when it comes to apportioning blame. By appearing to offer the right of way, the criminal simply continues his journey into a collision, holding the victim at fault for turning across him which, of course, cannot be denied under law.”
