Queens, New York – Assemblyman David I. Weprin’s bill, A3985 also known as Alice’s law, which imposes criminal penalties on those who engage in staged accidents for the purposes of insurance fraud was signed by Governor Cuomo after passing the Assembly and Senate earlier in the year. The legislation makes the staging of an accident to commit insurance fraud a class E Felony and in cases where a serious physical injury or death occurs, a class D felony punishable by up to seven years in prison. The legislation aims to potentially save New Yorkers billions of dollars in higher insurance premiums and protect innocent victims from harmful injury or death.

Alice’s Law was inspired by 71-year-old Queens grandmother, Alice Ross, who was killed in a staged accident in 2003. These staged accidents result in fraudulent insurance claims for fake crash injuries costing companies and their policyholders upwards of $1 billion per year. Furthermore, these activities pose a serious public safety risk especially for women and elderly drivers who are often targeted for these accidents because they are considered by criminals less likely to be confrontational.

“Alice's Law' is named after a constituent of mine, Alice Ross, who was killed in a staged auto accident in an attempt to exploit New York's no-fault insurance law. The signing of this legislation closes loopholes in the insurance law, adds higher penalties for those who stage auto accidents, and rightfully honors the memory of Alice Ross,” said Assemblyman David Weprin. ”I thank Governor Andrew M. Cuomo for signing this important law and Senator Anna M. Kaplan for carrying this bill the Senate."