DRAMATIC footage of a cyclist colliding with a car has sparked online claims that it was a “crash-for-cash” scam.
The dashcam clip appears to show the cyclist jump a red light and then smack into the side of a car without any sign of swerving or braking beforehand.
The woman on the bike crumples to the road and lies absolutely still but viewers have pointed out she moves her hand under her cheek after falling.
The incident was filmed in Lewisham, South London, by Antonio Moreira, who posted the footage with the comment: “She stayed in that position for a while. After I told the other driver about the dash cam, she recovered pretty quickly.”
Antonio captured the incident in August last year but has only just decided to make it public.
Dozens of viewers claimed the incident an insurance scam.
Geoff Dunk wrote: “Something doesn’t look right with this. The cyclist goes down, raises their head then goes back down and stays there after initially lifting their head.
“Call me cynical but was there more to this than meets the eye? What ever though they were at fault running the red light.”
Neil McCall said: “And tucked her hand under her head so she was a bit comfier. This had blame claim written all over it.”
Paul Mabley wrote: “See her put her hand under her face to get comfortable until ambulance arrived. Scammer.”
Kev Clarke said: “That actually looks intentional by the cyclist. Hope this footage is used to prevent some scammer claim by that wee d***.”
And Will Miles wrote: “Fraudster. Hand footage to the police.”
He added: “After those first moments, she got up, and moved on. No injuries or damages.”
“I think she wasn’t even aware, just pedalling.”
Last year it was reported that around 30,000 fake car accidents and insurance claims take place in the UK every year.
The term “crash-for-cash” is used when a driver, or cyclist, stages a crash so they can make fraudulent or exaggerated insurance claims.
It often sees scammers deliberately drive badly so that it forces another motorist to collide with them.
A spokeswoman for the Metropolitan Police said that without a street address for the incident they would not be able to make any comment.
