A growing concern among lawmakers, insurance providers, and motor carriers involves staged accidents, including "swoop-and-squat" schemes, which have targeted commercial trucks in New York and New Jersey.
While these states have seen significant increases in fraudulent claims of this nature, this exposure is not limited to the Northeast. Similar activity appears to be increasing across the country, according to the National Insurance Crime Bureau, making awareness important for all fleets, including those traveling through higher-risk areas.
New York state data shows that there were nearly 1,700 staged crashes reported in 2025, a 34 percent increase over the past three years. New Jersey has also seen spikes in these staged crashes. The increase in these incidents spurred New York state to broaden its campaign against insurance fraud. Beginning in 2027, the state will begin enforcing stronger penalties for fraud.
What is a swoop-and-squat crash?
A swoop-and-squat crash typically occurs when one vehicle, or sometimes multiple coordinated vehicles, abruptly cut in front of a vehicle and suddenly brakes, forcing or attempting to force a rear-end collision that can later be used to support fraudulent injury claims.
How do motor carriers combat fraudulent claims?
Video evidence is one of the most effective tools available for motor carriers to combat fraudulent claims. Recent staged accident investigations have demonstrated that dash camera footage can provide critical evidence needed to establish what occurred, protect professional drivers, and refute fraudulent injury allegations. In many cases, video footage can be the difference between successfully defending a claim and facing significant claim costs.
Fleets operating in or through high-risk areas should strongly consider installing and maintaining forward-facing video event recorders at a minimum. As part of an overall risk management strategy, also consider the addition of side-mounted, rear-facing cameras capable of capturing driver blind spots, unsafe lane changes, and staged-collision activity.
What Drivers Need to Know
Criminals intentionally cause collisions designed to generate fraudulent injury claims. Common warning signs include the following:
- Vehicles that suddenly cut in front of a truck and brake aggressively.
- Multiple occupants in a passenger vehicle displaying coordinated behavior.
- Vehicles that appear to be waiting for opportunities to merge abruptly in front of a commercial vehicle.
- Occupants who immediately begin directing witnesses or claiming injuries before law enforcement arrives.
How Fleets Can Reduce Risk
- Install and maintain forward-facing video event recorders at a minimum and, whenever possible, install side-mounted and rear-facing cameras to help identify and document staged lane-change collisions and other fraudulent crash scenarios.
- Maintain adequate following distances and avoid driving in situations that limit escape routes.
- Use defensive driving techniques and remain vigilant in congested traffic areas.
- Immediately report suspicious driving behavior and all collisions, regardless of severity.
- Gather as much information as possible at the scene, including photographs, witness information, vehicle descriptions, law enforcement reports, and video footage.
- Avoid admitting fault or discussing liability at the scene.
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