How Can an Auto Insurance Fraud Lawyer Help You?
Auto insurance fraud is a serious crime that can have consequences for both the perpetrator and the victim. If you're accused of auto insurance fraud or think you may be a victim, don't wait to speak to an attorney. There are many different types of auto insurance fraud, so it's important to get specialized help. An experienced insurance fraud attorney can help you understand your rights and protect your interests.
Fraudulent Insurance
Most Minnesotans pay for at least one type of insurance, whether it's auto, homeowner, life, or health insurance. There has been an attempt to defraud an insurance company that sells insurance plans since insurance was invented in the United States and Minnesota is not immune to this problem.
An individual who provides false information when applying for insurance or falsifies insurance claims in order to get a payment from an insurance company may be charged with insurance fraud. Those convicted of these crimes face harsh penalties, which can include lengthy prison sentences and heavy fines.
Fraudulent Auto Insurance
There are many cases of insurance fraud, mainly because each and every individual must purchase auto insurance, so people want to take advantage of the situation by making up accidents or overstating damages when seeking insurance compensation.
The Many Different Types of Auto Insurance Fraud
Auto insurance fraud can be committed in many different ways, including excessive or exaggerated claims for damages; staging an accident; taking photographs of the scene; overcharging for car repairs; inflating the cost of replacement parts; filing several false claims with different insurance companies for the same accident; submitting claims after the statute of limitations has passed, and making false statements on an application. If you think you may be a victim or have been accused, don't wait to speak with an auto insurance fraud attorney. There are many different types of auto insurance fraud, so it's important to get specialized help.
A person is considered to be engaged in automobile insurance fraud if:
- Fakes a claim to an insurance company for a car-related incident (e.g., damage to an insured vehicle).
- Abandons or damages a vehicle with the intention of collecting insurance money.
- The same single incident is reported twice to the insurance company.
- Creates or participates in an accident in order to obtain insurance money.
- Providing an insurance company with a false statement knowingly.
- Among the most common types of car insurance fraud are those listed above, but there are other less common types.
Here are some examples of how someone can commit insurance fraud:
- Giving up your car and notify your insurance company that it has been stolen.
- Telling the insurance company that you were in an accident when you weren't.
- You get into an accident with minor damage but claim that you spent more money on repairs than you actually did.
- Breaking hard in front of a more expensive car on the highway for the purpose of getting a payout from the other driver's insurance.
- The penalty for auto insurance fraud includes state prison time, restitution of payments, probation, and fines. This type of insurance fraud can get you felony charges in some states.
In order to defend yourself against car insurance fraud charges, you usually have to show that the prosecution cannot prove your guilt.
Legal motions to suppress evidence or dismiss charges, presentation of appropriate legal defenses, and advocacy before and during the trial are some examples discussed previously.
Reputable Auto Insurance Fraud Attorneys
What Is Auto Insurance Fraud and What Are the Consequences for the Perpetrator and Victim?
Auto insurance fraud is a serious crime that can have consequences for both the perpetrator and the victim. This type of fraud occurs when someone tries to get money from an insurance company by falsifying information or staging an accident. The consequences for the perpetrator can include fines, prison time, and the loss of their driver's license. The consequences for the victim can include higher premiums and a denied claim. If you're accused of auto insurance fraud or think you may be a victim, don't wait to speak with a criminal defense attorney. There are many different types of auto insurance fraud, so it's important to get specialized help. An auto insurance fraud attorney can help you understand your rights and protect your interests.
Defending Yourself Against Insurance Fraud Charges
There are a number of valid legal defenses to an insurance fraud conviction. At Berrill Law Firm, our insurance fraud team will provide you with legal representation to argue and prove all valid defenses. A judge or jury cannot find you guilty of insurance fraud if your criminal defense attorney successfully presents any of these defenses.
Whether you have been a victim or accused of a fraudulent act, our lawyers will look after your best interest and handle your legal matters with professionalism.
Insurance Fraud Legal Defenses
Insufficient Awareness of Falsity
You must know that what you were saying/writing was false in order to commit insurance fraud.
It may be possible to present a strong "lack of knowledge" defense if you did not know it was false. If you wrote something false on your insurance papers because someone else told you it was true and you didn't realize it was false, we can probably present this defense.
Lacking Intention
It will be possible for us to present this defense if this was an accident (and you had no intention of transmitting/communicating the false claim).
We may be able to argue that you never intended to transmit the false statement to the insurance company if we can prove you tried to "save" an electronic draft of your insurance paperwork, but hit "submit" instead.
Duress Defense
We could use the duress defense if someone forced you to commit insurance fraud by making serious threats against you.
Suppose you were forced to intentionally crash into a car by a violent gang in order to receive the insurance money. They threatened to kill your wife if you failed to comply, so you crashed into the car on purpose.
Entrapment
The entrapment defense applies when the criminal idea originated with the police, and you weren't otherwise interested in committing the crime.
A law enforcement agency could use this defense if they pressured or otherwise encouraged you to file a fraudulent insurance claim. You will likely be able to use this defense if a detective asks you to file a false insurance claim so the detective can investigate the insurance company.
Withdrawal from Conspiracy
By withdrawing from a conspiracy at an early stage, you can avoid conviction for the actual insurance fraud if you were accused of conspiring with others.
Withdrawing before any further action that "furthers" the conspiracy will keep you from being convicted. If you resigned from the conspiracy before the fraud was committed, you can avoid conviction on insurance fraud charges.
Mistaken Identity
An incorrect identity defense involves claiming that you didn't fill out or commit any fraudulent activity on behalf of the insurer. Insurance fraud is a paper-heavy crime.
Usually, there are no eyewitnesses. Someone else may have committed the insurance fraud and signed the false documents in your name. You may have a strong case for mistaken identity unless there is video surveillance, witnesses, or other direct evidence that you filled out the fraudulent insurance paperwork.
We will likely be able to prevent any criminal conviction if the prosecutor cannot prove that you personally committed the insurance fraud.
Ambiguous Statements
Most types of insurance fraud include false statements. If, however, you wrote or told the truth, but the insurance company or prosecutor misconstrued your words, we may be able to establish that this statement was ambiguous in nature.
FAQs To An Auto Insurance Fraud Lawyer
How Do You Know if You're a Victim of Auto Insurance Fraud?
If you think you may be a victim of auto insurance fraud, there are some signs to look out for. Some common signs of auto insurance fraud include: being asked to file a false claim, being asked to provide false information, being involved in a staged accident, and receiving unexpected or unexplained charges from an insurance company. If you think you're a victim of fraud or have been accused of fraud, don't wait to do anything-get an auto insurance fraud attorney as soon as possible.
What an Attorney Can Do to Help You if You're Accused of or a Victim of Auto Insurance Fraud?
An auto insurance fraud attorney can help you if you're accused of or a victim of auto insurance fraud. If you're accused of fraud, an attorney can help you build a defense and protect your rights. If you're a victim of fraud, an attorney can help you file a claim and get the money you deserve. It's important to get specialized help if you're accused of or a victim of auto insurance fraud, so don't wait to speak to an attorney.
Why It's Important to Get Specialized Help if You're Accused of or a Victim of Auto Insurance Fraud?
If you're accused of or a victim of auto insurance fraud, it's important to get specialized help. An auto insurance fraud attorney can help you understand your rights and protect your interests. They can also help you file a claim and get the money you deserve. If you're not sure whether you're a victim of fraud or not, an attorney can help you figure that out and decide what to do next. If you think you may be a victim of fraud, don't wait to speak to an attorney-get specialized help today.
Is Insurance Fraud a Federal Crime?
While insurance fraud is a serious crime, it's important to note that it's not a federal crime. However, there are federal laws that can be used to prosecute those who commit insurance fraud. Some common federal laws that can be used to prosecute insurance fraud include the mail and wire fraud statutes, the false statements statute, and the money laundering statute. If you're accused of or think you may be involved in insurance fraud, it's important to speak with an attorney who specializes in this area.
What Are the Consequences of Auto Insurance Fraud?
The consequences of auto insurance fraud can be serious. Some of the consequences of committing insurance fraud can include jail time, a criminal record, fines, and the loss of your driver's license. It's important to remember that if you're accused of insurance fraud, you have the right to a defense. An auto insurance fraud attorney can help you build a defense and protect your rights.
Protect Your Freedom, Hire an Experienced Insurance Fraud Attorney
You will have to work with a Minnesota insurance fraud lawyer every step of the way to avoid these penalties or the maximum penalties. Our lawyers will honor our clients by upholding a tight attorney-client relationship. If you have been accused, a victim, or convicted of insurance fraud our legal services can help you. We'll work to defend your rights or get your charges reduced. Every individual situation is different, so if you're thinking of hiring a lawyer, call the Birrell Law Firm today for a free consultation.