Fender bender fraud is on the rise again in the United States.  This classic scam, in which a team of scam artists work together to create an accident, then bill you and your insurance company for thousands of dollars in made up damages, can cost you a lot of money and time.  Fortunately, there are things you can do to protect yourself.

One of the most important things you can do is keep a kit in your car that contains everything you need to deal with a minor accident.  Make sure you have these items readily available.

1. Important paperwork.  Your license, vehicle registration, and proof of insurance are all required in the state of North Carolina.  Make sure you have these available to show a police officer after an accident.  Many times, scam artists will try to convince their victims to keep the accident out of official records.  By having these documents, you’ll be prepared to deal with the police.
2. Camera.  The camera on your cell phone can work if it takes good pictures.  Documenting the damage to both cars is a good way to present proof to your insurance agent later of the actual damages that occurred as a result of the accident.
3. First aid kit.  More important than the physical damage to property is the health tool that these scams take on their victims.  Be prepared by carrying some basic first aid items in your car such as bandages and tweezers.  

Of course, it’s also important for residents of Hope Hills, NC to be prepared for minor accidents with good auto insurance.  Contact the agents at Cross Creek Insurance to get a policy that gives you enough coverage to protect yourself from these scams.

Most people don’t realize that  often, injury claims occur weeks to months after the crash. Cross Creek Insurance offers several ways to protect yourself from fraud:

Notify the police. In the day of cell phones, it’s easy to call the police from the site. Even though police don’t always respond to minor accidents, you want to either wait for the police to arrive on the scene. If not, go to the station and file a report so that there is a public record.
Take plenty of pictures. Take pictures of all the vehicles involved, even if there is no visible damage. In a fraudulent claim, lack of damage can make a difference.
Get all the information. Name, addresses, phone numbers, license numbers of the individual and the car itself and insurance details of all the motorists involved are important. Take done similar information from any witnesses.
Be careful what you say. By admitting any fault on the scene, it could be used against you. Be cautious about what you say and don’t say, not only to police officers but to the other motorist and to the witness, and what you might say in a phone conversation that might be overheard.
Listen carefully to what the other motorist says.  Even if there is not evident damage, listen for the other motorist or their passenger if they complain of  discomfort or an injury. If the other motorist tries to blame or bully you, especially if he or she is at fault. Automatically insisting that they need an ambulance.These can be tipoffs that a fraudulent suit may happen.
Hire a lawyer. An auto accident attorney can investigate the crash, shift through the collected evidence and even request medical documents so they can dispute any legal action in the future.

Getting the most miles per gallon while driving in North Carolina should be a priority. Not only will reducing gas mileage help save you money, but also lower your carbon footprint. Driving efficiently and keeping your vehicle up to date will make the most significant difference in fuel economy.

Drive Smarter

Avoid certain driver behaviors that decrease your car’s gas mileage. This includes excessive braking, rapid acceleration, and cruising over the speed limit. After a car reaches speeds above 50 miles per hour, fuel economy decreases. Cruise control helps you maintain a consistent speed to avoid these issues. Idling can also burn up gas and should be avoided when possible.

Lighten Loads

Pulling cargo or storing items on your roof can both have a detrimental effect on your vehicle’s gas mileage. Not only does the weight from the loads affect fuel economy, but also cargo stored on the roof makes your car less aerodynamic.

Maintain Your Car

Check your tire pressure at least once a week to ensure the pressure isn’t too low since this could hurt fuel economy. Always use the recommended grade oil for your car too when it’s time for an oil change. Changing the car’s air filter can keep the car running efficiently in order to avoid excessive fuel consumption.

Get a New (or Newer) Vehicle

Ditch your old gas guzzler for a more fuel efficient car. Within the past decade, car manufacturers have made tremendous strides in increasing vehicles’ gas mileage. Compare your current car’s average highway and city MPG to newer models on the market.

If you do decide to upgrade your car, make sure you have the right amount of insurance coverage. Contact the independent agents at Cross Creek Insurance to discuss either your current auto policy or make arrangements to take out a new policy on your vehicle. 

Many people are traumatized following a car accident. The jarring movements from the accident can cause injuries and leave victims discombobulated. If you witness an accident, you play a critical role in ensuring that everyone is safe and emergency personnel are on their way. The following are a few steps you can take to make sure traffic accident victims are safe.

Remain at the Scene

After you’ve witnessed an accident, it’s important that you remain at the scene until the authorities arrive. Your perspective is important to everyone involved in the relationship. Without giving your statement to the police, the victims may have to pay for damages they incurred.

Make Sure You Are Safe

When you stop to check on those involved in an accident, you have to do so safely. Your safety should be your primary concern. To ensure that you are not in an accident from distracted onlookers, make sure you park a safe distance from the accident and always observe your surroundings to ensure you are not in danger.

Call 911

After ensuring you are safe, you have to contact 911. When you call emergency services, they will contact all necessary personnel. By making one phone call, you could potentially save the lives of individuals involved in an accident.

Ensure Victims Are Safe

There are a lot of things going on following an accident. As a result of this, you must make sure that everyone is safe. You can help people out of their cars and to the curb to ensure they are no longer in danger.

Give Victims Your Contact Information

After giving the authorities your statement, you should give the victims your contact information. Additionally, taking down their information will help you keep your statements straight. With their information, you can properly identify each driver involved in an accident. 

Witnessing an accident is a great time to ensure your car insurance policy is comprehensive. If you live in Fayetteville, NC or the surrounding area, Cross Creek Insurance is happy to assist you with finding the perfect insurance policy for your vehicles.