A new federal bill is gaining momentum with strong backing from key trucking industry organizations, aiming to crack down on the growing problem of staged truck accidents. The proposed legislation, titled the Staged Accident Fraud Prevention Act, was introduced on April 7 by Representatives Mike Collins (R-Ga.) and Brandon Gill (R-Texas). If passed, the bill would make it a federal crime to intentionally stage a collision with a commercial motor vehicle, closing dangerous legal loopholes that have enabled organized fraud rings to exploit the system.
Staged crashes, especially those targeting tractor-trailers, have become an increasingly alarming issue. Fraudulent participants intentionally cause accidents and then pursue inflated insurance claims and legal settlements, often exceeding seven figures. These scams not only drive up insurance premiums for carriers—especially small businesses—but also endanger the lives of truck drivers and the general public.
Industry Leaders Voice Support
The American Trucking Associations (ATA) and the Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association (OOIDA) have expressed firm support for the bill. Henry Hanscom, ATA’s Senior VP of Legislative Affairs, called the phenomenon “hazardous and increasingly pervasive,” emphasizing that staged collisions put innocent drivers at risk while criminals exploit the legal system.
OOIDA Executive VP Lewie Pugh reinforced the message, stating, “These are calculated, premeditated assaults that endanger lives, destroy livelihoods, and compromise highway safety.” He added that OOIDA’s 150,000 members stand behind this common-sense legislation to shield truckers from criminal fraud that drives up operational costs and insurance burdens.
Spotlight on Louisiana and Operation Sideswipe
The bill was prompted in part by investigations into over 100 staged accidents involving commercial trucks in the New Orleans area since 2011. The FBI, Louisiana State Police, and the New Orleans Metropolitan Crime Commission have been working together under Operation Sideswipe, an ongoing investigation that has so far led to 63 individuals being charged or pleading guilty.
These fraudulent schemes often involved “slammers”—drivers who deliberately collided with trucks. After the staged crash, the driver would flee the scene while a passenger would falsely claim to be the driver to facilitate fraudulent insurance claims and lawsuits.
In December, the case expanded dramatically with a 10-count indictment implicating two law firms, two attorneys, and multiple participants in the conspiracy. The charges included fraud, obstruction of justice, witness tampering, and murder. Among the most shocking developments was the 2020 murder of Cornelius Garrison, a scheme participant who had begun cooperating with the FBI. Two individuals have been charged in his death.
The introduction of the Staged Accident Fraud Prevention Act marks a critical step forward in addressing the national threat posed by staged truck accidents. By establishing enforceable federal penalties, the bill aims to protect motor carriers from fraud and restore integrity to commercial transportation.
Source:
https://www.ttnews.com/articles/trucking-staged-accident-bill
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