ATA Backs Bipartisan Bill to Crack Down on Staged Accidents

Washington-Today, ATA welcomed the introduction of the Stop Auto Fraud Act of 2026, bipartisan legislation to make motor vehicle collision fraud a federal crime, improve safety for drivers, and lower insurance rates nationwide.

The legislation-which was introduced by U.S. Representatives Laura Gillen (D-NY), Troy Nehls (R-TX), Josh Gottheimer (D-NJ), and Vince Fong (R-CA)-targets insurance fraud schemes in which bad actors deliberately cause, stage, or fabricate motor vehicle accidents to file false claims to obtain large cash payouts.

"On highways across the country, brazen criminals are intentionally colliding with other motorists in an attempt to score a big payday, and commercial trucks are a top target. Their selfish actions put the lives of innocent Americans at risk and contribute to soaring insurance premiums that raise costs for all consumers," said Alex Rosen, SVP of Legislative Affairs, American Trucking Associations. "We need stronger penalties to deter those who perpetrate these schemes, which is why ATA strongly supports the Stop Auto Fraud Act. The trucking industry commends Reps. Gillen, Nehls, Gottheimer, and Fong for their leadership to make our roads safer and alleviate the financial burden imposed on families and businesses."

"The Trucking Association of New York (TANY) thanks Congresswoman Gillen for taking a strong stand against those who put others at risk using staged accidents for their own financial gain," said Kendra Hems, President, Trucking Association of New York (TANY). "These are serious crimes and should be treated as such. The Stop Auto Fraud Act does just that and is an important step to reign in fraud and abuse of the insurance system. For the trucking industry, fraudulent and staged claims contribute directly to unsustainable increases in commercial auto insurance costs, putting additional pressure on carriers that are working hard to operate safely and keep our economy moving. We appreciate Congresswoman Gillen's leadership and look forward to continuing to work with her on the issue."

Numerous schemes in recent years have targeted trucking companies, and these sophisticated fraudsters often have ties to organized crime. One such criminal ring exposed in Louisiana was the subject of a recent documentary. The saga began when a con artist deliberately crashed into a truck belonging to a third-generation, family-owned trucking business. Eventually, federal investigators unraveled a vast conspiracy involving dozens of "slammers," "spotters," and corrupt lawyers who orchestrated numerous operations that targeted multiple companies. In an attempted coverup, a federal witness was killed.

The Stop Auto Fraud Act would make it a federal crime to knowingly stage or fabricate a motor vehicle crash with any vehicle and submit a fraudulent claim. The bill would impose penalties, including possible jail time, for violations. Any collected fines would be paid into the Highway Trust Fund.

ATA is also backing similar legislation-the Staged Accident Fraud Prevention Act-that was introduced by Representatives Mike Collins (R-GA) and Brandon Gill (R-TX) and Senator Ashley Moody (R-FL). This bill would make it a federal crime to engineer a crash specifically with a commercial motor vehicle.