Vernon J. Robinson, 49, of Bothell, was sentenced March 27 in King County Superior Court to one year in prison, suspended, and 24 months of probation for attempted insurance fraud.

Robinson pled guilty on March 5 to the felony charge and served one day in jail.

In June 2013, Robinson made a claim to Travelers Insurance that he was struck by a car at a Safeway gas station. Robinson said the vehicle backed into him, striking his knee and hip, and he hit the car with his fist to get the driver’s attention. Travelers reviewed video from the gas station that showed the vehicle did not hit Robinson. Robinson filed a lawsuit against the driver in August 2013, seeking damages for injuries, medical expenses and attorney fees. He withdrew the lawsuit in January 2014.

“People who think insurance fraud is a quick way to make a buck don’t stop to think about the resulting economic damage,” said Insurance Commissioner Mike Kreidler. “Consumers pay the bill for fake insurance claims through increased premiums. I’m happy to report a case where a fake claim was thwarted.”

Travelers referred the case to Kreidler’s Special Investigations Unit (SIU), which investigates insurance fraud. The unit referred the case to the King County Prosecutor’s Office, which charged Robinson in June 2014.

Consumers can report suspected insurance fraud on the Insurance Commissioner’s website.