Staged Accident Fraud Prevention Act of 2026

This bill, titled the Staged Accident Fraud Prevention Act of 2026 , amends title 49 of the United States Code to prohibit intentionally causing or arranging staged collisions with commercial motor vehicles. Its primary purpose is to combat fraudulent activities that endanger public safety and exploit the commercial transportation industry. The legislation establishes federal penalties for individuals who intentionally cause a collision with a commercial motor vehicle, including fines under title 18, imprisonment for up to 20 years, or both. These penalties are significantly increased if the staged collision results in serious bodily injury or death , leading to imprisonment for not less than 20 years. Additionally, any person who arranges for another to cause such a collision faces the same penalties as the individual directly involved in the act. The bill also includes a limitation on prosecution, preventing federal charges if the individual has already been convicted or acquitted for the same act under state or territorial law.