In a major development in the ongoing investigation into a widespread fraud involving staged accidents with tractor-trailers, Jovanna Gardner, one of the central figures, has agreed to a plea deal with federal prosecutors. Gardner’s decision to plead guilty to conspiracy to commit witness tampering and cooperate with investigators marks a critical juncture in this high-profile
Dozens Plead Guilty to Staging Truck Accidents to Get Big Payouts
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Accidents happen. Unfortunately, they are more common for truck drivers. Data shows that tractor-trailer drivers are more likely to get into crashes than other drivers on the road. Part of this is simply due to the many miles truckers drive and driver fatigue.
Regardless, trucking companies can be on the line for significant claims when there’s an accident. Major crashes can cost trucking companies millions of dollars. Even minor accidents can lead to settlements of up to $10,000.
That’s why it’s critical to be on the lookout for a new trend: staged accidents. More than 40 people have now pled guilty to staging accidents with trucks to get big payouts.
In some of these cases, people purposely clipped a tractor-trailer or insisted there was a collision when there wasn’t.
“Operation Sideswipe” Exposes People Staging Accidents.
These staged accident cases have come to light through a recent FBI investigation called “Operation Sideswipe.” The FBI was tipped off in 2019. Attorneys noticed similarities among at least 30 tractor-trailer accident incidents in the New Orleans area. Overall, there have been more than 100 incidents.
In particular, these cases usually included these key elements:
- Multiple people claiming to be driving the claimant vehicle
- Sideswipe allegations
- Minimal damage to the vehicle
- Little to no damage to the truck
- The truck driver being unaware or denying any accident
So far, 41 people have pleaded guilty. Two people – Herbert Allen and Dion Ridley – have pleaded guilty in the last month.
Allen and Ridley admitted their role in a staged 2017 accident. Initially, they both filed claims that Allen was driving a Chevy Impala that was sideswiped by a truck owned by Frisard’s Trucking Co. But prosecutors say both of them were passengers in the vehicle and that the car intentionally hit the truck.
Both men underwent medical treatment, and their attorneys filed medical claims. Prosecutors say Allen and Ridley lied in hopes of securing hefty payouts from the truck driver, owner, and insurer.
Instead, they face up to five years in prison and up to $250,000 in fines.
Be on the lookout in New Orleans.
While these scams can happen anywhere, trucking companies have been alerted to them, specifically in the New Orleans area. Prosecutors say a ring of scammers has worked with attorneys to stage crashes and then score settlements.
One attorney, Danny Patrick Keating Jr., pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit mail and wire fraud last year. Keating admitted to paying a co-conspirator for 31 staged crashes with tractor-trailers. Keating and his clients received approximately $1.5 million. Keating kept $358,000.
How to navigate staged crashes.
Spotting and even squashing a staged crash can be difficult in the moment. Be sure to drive safely, take photos of both vehicles, and work with experienced trucking and transportation attorneys.
Our practice can have you navigate complex legal scenarios. Contact us to help with your case and ensure your company is prepared for fraudulent claims.
