Accidents Will Happen 1938

Solved case earns raise

Eric Gregg, an insurance investigator, successfully solves a case at work. The success earns him a promised raise from his superiors. Meanwhile his wife Nona becomes a witness in a car crash claim against Eric's company, hinting at trouble ahead.

Nona's conflicting crash testimony

Nona testifies at the crash scene, but her statements conflict with other witnesses. The conflicting testimony calls the credibility of the claim into question and raises Eric's suspicions. This moment foreshadows a broader pattern of insurance fraud.

Nona with an expensive fur coat

Eric spots Nona with an extremely expensive fur coat charged on credit. He learns that Thurston, the loan company’s boss, helped pay for it, signaling a link to a criminal network. The discovery deepens his concern about the fraud.

Thurston's criminal connections

Eric discovers Thurston’s involvement with a ring of criminals who aim to defraud insurance companies. The loan official is shown to work in league with the fraudsters. This confirms to Eric that the crash and the credit scheme are part of a larger operation.

Dawson exposes fraud; Eric loses his job

A rival investigator named Dawson exposes fraud, leading to Eric losing his job. The dismissal pushes him toward the criminals' orbit and makes him eager to prove himself in new schemes. The shakeup shifts the power dynamics within the insurance world.

Eric teams with Patricia for scams

Eric begins collaborating with Patricia Carmody, a cigarette girl, to pull insurance scams. They attract the attention of other criminals as their schemes gain momentum. This partnership marks a transition to more ambitious and risky operations.

Criminal ring amalgamates with Eric

The other criminals decide to amalgamate their operations with Eric's group, creating a united ring. Eric finds himself being steered toward larger, more lucrative scams. The alliance elevates the scale and danger of their activities.

Eric outlines a large scam

Eric tells the ring that small schemes of around $2,000 are insignificant next to what they could achieve. He details a plan for a major fraud, including a staged injury to drive up a payout. The group absorbs his vision and moves toward the high-stakes operation.

Nona and Thurston reveal marriage plans

During the meeting, Nona and Thurston reveal they intend to marry. Their personal plans intersect with the criminal enterprise, creating tensions and competing motives. Eric realizes the risks of mixing love, loyalty, and fraud.

The plan proceeds: $25,000 lawsuit

The incident unfolds as planned and a lawsuit for $25,000 is filed. Patricia pretends to suffer a permanent spinal injury while the scheme is filmed to bolster the claim. The operation proceeds toward a courtroom confrontation.

Patricia tests the truth in court

Patricia suddenly stands in court and declares she was part of a criminal ring. The revelation shocks the courtroom and immediately undermines the other side's case. It marks a dramatic pivot in the trial.

Eric goes undercover on the stand

Eric takes the stand and explains that he has been undercover to expose the insurance fraud. He and Patricia reveal they have been working with the State's Attorney to bring down the ring. The courtroom becomes a turning point toward justice.

Nona and Thurston arrested

Nona and Thurston are arrested in the courtroom, ending the criminal scheme. The capture validates Eric's undercover efforts and erodes the ring's power. The moment brings relief and a sense of vindication for Eric.