Louisiana Attorney Sentenced for Staged Truck Crashes

On October 16, 2026, the U.S. Department of Justice announced that former New Orleans attorney Danny Patrick Keating Jr., 57, was sentenced to 32 months in federal prison for his role in a staged truck accident fraud scheme.

Keating admitted paying another participant to organize 31 intentional collisions involving semi-trucks in the New Orleans area.

He represented 77 people involved in those crashes and settled 17 cases. According to federal prosecutors, Keating and his clients received approximately $1.5 million in settlements, including about $358,000 in attorney fees.

The lawsuits included false claims about who caused the accidents and injuries suffered by passengers.

A federal judge also ordered Keating to serve three years of supervised release and pay $657,405.34 in restitution.

The investigation has resulted in charges against 63 defendants.

!What This Means for CDL Drivers

Truck drivers can become targets of staged accidents designed to generate fraudulent insurance claims.

Dashcam footage, police reports, and photos from accident scenes can provide important evidence when drivers face false accusations.