Each month, on an alternating basis, we share case studies from our Uninsured Division and Fraud Prevention Units. Occasionally, the case featured in the article overlaps into both areas of focus.
The Uninsured Division (UD) is a division of the State of Maryland administered by Maryland Auto Insurance. The UD handles claims in which someone is injured in an accident caused by another person who has no insurance to cover those injuries.
The UD received a claim from two women who were allegedly injured in a hit-and-run accident in front of a store in Baltimore City.
One woman, “Person A,” said she was standing on the pavement in front of the store when she was hit by a vehicle that had lost control. The other woman, “Person B,” claimed to have been in front of the store when a van driven by a male with passengers crashed into a nearby brick wall, causing the fence on top of the wall to fall on her.
The Baltimore City police report indicated that three pedestrians were struck in the incident, but two refused medical treatment. Person A was listed as one of the pedestrians, but Person B was not.
A third person, who was also a victim of the hit-and-run, was listed as a witness in the police report. This person reported to have observed a man and a woman at the scene falsely claiming to the police that the van had hit them.
The surveillance footage of the crash did not identify either Person A or Person B. The footage showed a person who appeared to be injured, but it was determined that this was the witness listed in the police report. The UD denied both Person A and Person B’s claims. Person B did not pursue the claim further.
Person A filed suit through her attorney, who later dropped the case after being provided with surveillance footage. At the hearing, Person A appeared without representation. The UD’s counsel argued that Person A was not involved in the accident. After reviewing the evidence, the judge ruled in favor of the UD.
This case demonstrates the UD’s commitment to uncovering inconsistencies and fraudulent claims through investigation. This helps to prevent insurance fraud and maintain fair claims practices for all Maryland residents.
