It isn't pleasant to think that someone would intentionally target you to be the victim of an auto accident. However, staged vehicle accidents are a growing insurance scheme crooks use, driving up insurance rates and costing insurance companies about $20 million each year.

Although staged accidents often are the work of well-organized criminal rings, you can fight back and avoid becoming a victim of this type of auto insurance fraud by taking these six steps to protect yourself:

1. Report the accident to the police. Even if no one was hurt and the damage to either vehicle is minor, a police report is a description of what happened that can protect you if legal problems related to the accident follow later on. Be wary if the other driver discourages you from reporting the accident. Also, get the name of the police officer who filed the accident report in case you remember more details about the accident after you leave the scene.

2. Report any motor vehicle accident in which you are involved to your insurance company immediately. Let your insurer know even if the accident wasn't your fault. If the accident was your fault, don't agree to pay the other party's damages out of your pocket instead of filing a claim with your insurance. An unscrupulous driver can come after you for more money later.

3. Record details about the accident while they are still fresh in your memory. Request the names and contact information of any witnesses and passengers in the other vehicle. Exchange insurance information with the other driver and write down his or her driver's license number and the vehicle's license plate number.

4. Take photos with your cell phone as proof of the damage to either vehicle. That way, it will be harder for the other driver to say there was more damage to his or her vehicle later in an attempt to collect more money from your insurance company. Get several photos of the accident scene from different angles. Also, snap a picture of the other driver's license plate.

5. Note how many passengers were riding in the other vehicle. Take photos of them and the driver. Criminals perpetrating staged accidents often try to claim injuries and lost wages for passengers who weren't even in the vehicle at the time of the accident.

6. Be on your guard if someone suddenly appears at the accident scene and offers you the name of a particular doctor or attorney to contact. If you've been the victim of a staged accident, an unprincipled professional who works with the scammers may encourage you to file a personal injury claim even if your injuries aren't severe. See your own doctor or attorney, not someone the other driver or a witness recommends. Choose your own auto body repair shop as well.

For more information, contact Colling Insurance Services, Inc. or a similar company.