Prosecutors have launched a campaign to crack down on SEPTA riders and others who fake injuries in bus crashes and other accidents, Philadelphia District Attorney Seth Williams and SEPTA general manager Joseph Casey said Thursday.
SEPTA has installed video surveillance cameras on SEPTA vehicles in an effort to give prosecutors a new weapon in fighting fraudulent claims. SEPTA displayed videos at a press conference Thursday that showed a man running to get on a SEPTA bus that had been involved in an accident, so that he could lie down on a seat and claim a back injury. Another video showed a woman getting out of her bus seat to check an accident scene before returning to her seat to sprawl out and instruct her six-year-old daughter to feign injury, too.
Although video cameras were installed to defend against fraudulent claims, the introduction of cameras on SEPTA busses will benefit both prosecutors and accident victims. Video surveillance footage will help SEPTA weed out and defend against fraudulent claims. Phony passengers and bus riders who fake injuries are likely to face criminal charges such as fraud.
On the other hand, video surveillance will help SEPTA bus accident victims who suffer legitimate injuries to establish the authenticity of their claim. Video surveillance can provide compelling evidence concerning how the passenger was injured, prove the victim's presence on the bus and possibly show which party was at fault in the accident. These aspects of the case are frequently disputed and difficult to prove.
All too often, bus passengers don't know how the accident occurred or offer a description of the accident that contradicts that of the bus driver. Since the bus driver's job is on the line, it is commonplace for the driver to deny all liability and allege that the impact was minor and injury claims are fabricated. Contradicting such testimony is challenging due to the perception that all bus accident injuries are bogus. Video surveillance capturing how the accident occurred can remove the "faker" stigma from your injury case and provide positive support for your injury claim.
