Staging a crash with a semi truck to become a federal crime under new bill
Lawmakers introduced a bill to increase the criminal penalties for individuals who intentionally cause crashes with commercial vehicles.
On July 22, 2026, Senator Ashley Moody introduced the Staged Accident Fraud Prevention Act. A companion version of the bill was introduced in the House by Representatives Mike Collins (GA-10) and Brandon Gill (TX-26)
If passed, the bill would:
- Make intentionally staging a collision with a commercial motor vehicle a federal criminal offense
- Establish criminal penalties for individuals who organize or participate in staged crashes
- Hold attorneys, physicians, and other co-conspirators accountable if they knowingly participate in this fraud
“With over 450,000 trucking jobs in Florida, it is safe to say that truck drivers keep the economy moving. Unfortunately, there are crazed and dangerous fraudsters out there who would rather put people’s lives in danger for a quick payday instead of making an honest living putting in a hard day’s work. Anyone who stages or helps stage an accident with a commercial motor vehicle endangers people’s lives and livelihoods. On top of that, these stunts run up insurance premiums for everyone. Unacceptable. This legislation sends a clear message: if you do this, you will be prosecuted,” said Moody.
Moody pointed to a wide-ranging staged commercial vehicle crash scheme that took place in New Orleans between 2015 and 2020 that has resulted in charges against dozens of individuals.
The Staged Accident Fraud Prevention Act is endorsed by several trucking industry groups including the American Trucking Associations (ATA), the Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association (OOIDA), and the National Motor Freight Traffic Association (NMFTA).
“When con artists seeking a big payday intentionally collide with commercial motor vehicles, their reckless disregard for safety puts innocent truck drivers and the motoring public at risk. The frivolous lawsuits these rapacious individuals file against honest trucking companies contribute to soaring insurance premiums and raise costs for consumer goods,” said ATA Chief Advocacy & Public Affairs Officer Henry Hanscom. “ATA commends Senator Ashley Moody for introducing the Staged Accident Fraud Prevention Act, which would close legal loopholes that criminals are exploiting to target America’s hardworking truckers. By establishing clear, enforceable criminal penalties, we can finally put an end to this dangerous and costly practice.”
“Staged accidents are not victimless crimes. These are calculated, premeditated assaults that endanger lives, destroy livelihoods, and compromise highway safety. To add insult to injury, criminals abuse the legal system for profit through false accusations and lawsuits, which contribute to skyrocketing insurance premiums for small trucking businesses,” said Lewie Pugh, Executive Vice President, OOIDA. “OOIDA and our nearly 150,000 members support Senator Moody and her commonsense legislation to protect law-abiding truckers from sophisticated criminal fraud schemes that exploit the hardworking men and women behind the wheel.”
“The trucking industry cannot afford to let staged accident schemes continue putting professional truck drivers, motor carriers, and the motoring public at risk. NMFTA strongly supports the Staged Accident Fraud Prevention Act and commends Senator Ashley Moody as well as Representatives Collins and Gill for leading this effort to hold those responsible criminally accountable. By targeting organized fraud at its source, this legislation represents a critical step toward safeguarding our nation’s freight network and the millions of Americans who depend on it every day,” said NMFTA Chief Operations and Technical Officer Joe Ohr.