Common Types of Vehicle Crimes and How to Prevent Them

Overview of Vehicle Crimes in the U.S.

Car trouble isn’t just about flat tires and dead batteries anymore. Property crimes occur every 4.1 seconds, and violent crimes every 24.6 seconds in the United States. Now, imagine someone stealing your car or taking what is inside— it can be a hassle and leave you feeling scared and unsafe. The good news is there are ways to avoid being in this position! The following blog will discuss the various ways in which vehicle crimes are committed, and what you can do to protect your car and prevent it from becoming a victim.

Common Types of Vehicle Crimes

Vehicle crimes are on the rise in New York! Knowing about these common vehicle crimes can help you protect your vehicle better.

Larceny or Theft

Larceny or theft contributes to about 60% of total crimes that are reported in the US per year. It means stealing somebody’s belongings without employing force or having to break into buildings. Some examples would be, the theft of personal belongings like wallets, purses, and even cell phones. Although there might be slight differences from state to state, the common factor that holds for larceny is that it is the taking of property without authorization.

Burglary

Burglary slightly differs from theft where it involves breaking into a structure to commit a crime but not necessarily theft. According to the FBI, a “structure” can be anything ranging from a house, or a building, to a shed or a garage. A significant component of burglary is the intention to commit a crime after breaking which could be any crime such as theft, vandalism, or even assault. It is a crime that can attract severe consequences, especially when the offender is armed or when the burglary occurs during the night.

Grand Theft Auto

Grand theft auto accounted for about 237 occurrences for every 100,000 people in the population back in the year 2017 in the United States. The crime involves theft or attempting to take away a motor vehicle belonging to another person. Examples of motor vehicles include cars, motorcycles, trucks, and even commercial buses and heavy construction equipment. The motives could be joyriding or selling the car parts on the dark market.

Aggravated Assault

Aggravated assault is an act of attempting to cause serious bodily harm to another person either with or without the usage of a weapon. It’s of a higher degree than a simple assault with an intent to cause severe injuries. Such scenarios that may lead to charges of aggravated assault include bar fights, domestic disputes, or any violent confrontation that significantly gets out of hand. Weapons used can range from everyday items like bottles or chairs to more dangerous ones like firearms and knives that would change the intensity of the assault.

Robbery

Robbery is the type of theft that is aggravated by force or fear against a victim. It involves direct interaction with the victim, to overcome possible resistance.

It ranges from muggings and purse snatchings to armed bank robberies. This crime is rather seriously traumatizing for the victims, as its impact includes financial loss and personal danger.

Drunk Driving

Although it is categorized separately from the previous vehicle crimes, drunk driving has been mentioned due to its high incidence rate and great probability of resulting property damage and personal injury. DUI stands for driving under the influence of alcohol, while DWI means driving while intoxicated. This act is really dangerous not only to the driver’s life but also to that of passengers, pedestrians, and other road users.

Preventive Measures for Vehicle Crimes

The following proactive measures will prevent you from becoming a victim of vehicle-related offenses:

Always lock the vehicle, even when in the parking for a little while. This minimizes the case of theft as an unlocked car will be an easy target.
Install a car anti-theft system, such as an alarm, an immobilizer, or a tracking mechanism.
Never leave any valuables, including laptops, and purses in the car. All valuables should always be locked in the trunk or taken along to avoid theft.
Park in well-lit and secure areas, especially at night. Thieves prefer working in darkness where they are less likely to be seen. If you’re parking for a long time, choose a garage or a secure parking lot, which offers additional protection.
Always be alert in public. Observe what is taking place around you and avoid being distracted by your mobile device. Thieves prefer to target people who look unaware or preoccupied with their surroundings, so being alert will help a person to notice anything suspicious and act accordingly.
Secure your residential or office premises with high-quality locks and a security system. It can be a way to ward off intruders, save your vehicles, and protect other valuables. Motion sensors and outdoor lighting can further deter intruders since there is a bigger chance that they will be noticed.
When out, especially at late hours, always move in a group as thieves won’t pick on a group as easily as they might pick on one individual. It is always easier to commit a crime in secluded areas with low lights so that one can walk away unnoticed.
Do not flash a lot of cash or tempting targets like expensive diamond jewelry or pricey gadgets. The flashing of valuables can attract unwanted attention from opportunistic thieves.
Don’t forget to keep the emergency telephone numbers handy and be ready to seek help whenever you’re in trouble.

Secure Your Rights with Legal Defense For Vehicle Crime

The high rates of vehicle-related crime highlight the need for being as preventative as possible when it comes to safety. As much as it is impossible to avoid these crimes, it is possible to minimize them by learning and applying effective preventive measures. By staying alert and aware of your surroundings, you can protect yourself, your belongings, and your vehicle from criminals.

If you have been a victim of a vehicle crime, it’s important that you know your rights. You might be entitled to compensation or restitution, or you might believe that your case is not managed properly. For information on your rights or any vehicle crime legal advice, contact The Law Office of Steven S. Siegel PLLC. Our experienced vehicle crime attorneys are more than happy to help you out!