By Phil Corso
State Assemblyman David Weprin (D-Little Neck) took to the steps of City Hall last weekend to continue pushing a law to make staged car accidents a stand-alone crime.
Joined by former Assistant Brooklyn District Attorney and New Yorkers Stand Against Insurance Fraud spokesman David Schwartz, Weprin warned New Yorkers that the number of staged car accidents in the state has dramatically increased due to loopholes in insurance laws, according to a statement.
Almost nine years after 71-year-old Alice Ross was killed in the pre-meditated crash, Weprin called on the state Legislature to pass Alice’s Law to save taxpayer dollars.
“Criminals in our state are intentionally causing accidents and targeting innocent New Yorkers to make money, and we must do something to protect citizens against it,” Weprin said. “These crimes are endangering the lives of New Yorkers and driving up the auto insurance rates of New Yorkers already struggling with skyrocketing gas prices.”
Weprin said it was estimated that auto insurance fraud has cost New York drivers more than $1 billion in higher insurance rates over the past five years.
Reach reporter Phil Corso by e-mail at pcorso@cnglocal.com or by phone at 718-260-4573.
