Senator Moody Introduces Staged Accident Fraud Prevention Act to Protect All Drivers on our Roads and Prevent Con Artists from Driving up the Cost of Insurance

Home How Can I Help? News Contact Us Share Your Opinion Federal Nominations Scheduling Request Storm Preparation About Search for: Home How Can I Help? News Contact Us Share Your Opinion Federal Nominations Scheduling Request Storm Preparation About All News Senator Moody Introduces Staged Accident Fraud Prevention Act to Protect All Drivers on our Roads and Prevent Con Artists from Driving up the Cost of Insurance Jul 22, 2026 WASHINGTON, D.C.— Today, Senator Ashley Moody introduced the Staged Accident Fraud Prevention Act , legislation that would extend criminal penalties to make intentionally staging an accident with a commercial motor vehicle a federal crime. “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 Senator Ashley Moody. American Trucking Associations: “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 American Trucking Associations 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.” Florida Trucking Association: “Florida’s trucking industry doesn’t just move freight—it also bears the cost of organized fraud. Staged crashes put innocent motorists and professional truck drivers at risk, while driving up insurance costs for carriers, businesses, and consumers alike,” said Florida Trucking Association President & CEO Scott Perry. “We appreciate Senator Moody’s leadership in giving law enforcement additional tools to combat these dangerous criminal enterprises.” U.S. Chamber of Commerce: “Staged accidents are a dangerous and costly crisis that is threatening public safety and household budgets across America,” said President of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce’s Institute for Legal Reform Stephen Waguespack. “Senator Moody’s leadership on the Staged Accident Fraud Prevention Act builds on the momentum to put a stop to these organized crime rings that specifically target trucking businesses.” Independent Insurance Agents & Brokers of America: “The Independent Insurance Agents & Brokers of America applauds Senator Moody for introducing legislation to crack down on staged accidents that endanger motorists, disrupt supply chains and fuel lawsuit abuse. This commonsense measure will help deter insurance fraud, reduce unnecessary litigation costs and ease the pressure of rising insurance premiums on responsible commercial operators and consumers nationwide,” said IIABA SVP of Federal Government Affairs Nathan Riedel . Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association: “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, Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association. “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.” National Tank Truck Carriers: “Staged accidents are deliberate criminal acts that put professional drivers, the motoring public, and our nation’s supply chain at risk. Tank truck carriers operate the safest and most highly regulated vehicles on the road, yet they remain attractive targets for fraud schemes that exploit the legal system while driving up insurance costs for carriers, shippers, and ultimately consumers. The National Tank Truck Carriers strongly supports the Staged Accident Fraud Prevention Act because it establishes meaningful federal penalties to deter these dangerous crimes and hold everyone involved in these fraudulent schemes accountable. We commend Senator Ashley Moody for introducing this important legislation