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What Should I Do If a Driver Offers Me Cash After an Accident?

So, you got into a minor fender bender with another driver. You don’t seem to be injured, and your car only sustained what appears to be a minor dent. The other driver offers you cash to settle the accident right then and there. It may be very tempting to accept the cash and go on your merry little way. But is accepting quick cash before you know all the facts of the accident really the way to go? No – it’s not.

Why You Must Never Accept Cash at The Accident Scene

Any cash offered upfront is nowhere near the amount you could potentially receive if you were to bring a claim against the at-fault driver. Also, you do not have any idea of what could happen later. For instance:

  • You may be seriously injured and not know it, or your symptoms may develop or worsen over time. You may feel your back or neck pain getting worse later on, which is common with whiplash and back injuries. There’s also a chance that you may develop complications from your seemingly minor injuries.
  • The damage to your car may be more extensive than you initially thought. Once you’ve had your car professionally checked, you may discover that the damage from the crash is more severe and costs way more than what the driver was offering you.
  • You may develop post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). It doesn’t matter whether the accident was minor or catastrophic - some people may develop PTSD or some sort of mental trauma after experiencing a car accident.

Put simply, accepting a quick cash offer from the other driver involved in the crash can impact your ability to file a claim for compensation if any of the above situations happen to you.

Why The Other Driver May Offer Cash

There are various reasons why the other driver may offer cash right after the accident. These can include:

  • The other driver knows they caused the crash and didn’t want to file a claim with their insurer because they’re concerned about having their premiums increased.
  • The other driver may not have auto insurance and doesn’t want to get caught driving without the required insurance coverage.
  • The other driver may be fleeing from the police.
  • The other driver doesn’t want to get caught driving without a valid driver’s license.
  • The other driver may be concerned about getting a ticket if the crash occurred due to a traffic violation or getting their license revoked.

As you can see from above, accepting cash from the at-fault driver will only benefit them and hurt your future claim.

Speak to a Clearwater Car Accident Attorney Today

When in doubt, call the police – which you should always do after an accident anyway – have yourself checked by a doctor, and talk to a Clearwater car accident attorney to discuss your options. To set up a free case review, reach out to the law office of Tragos, Sartes & Tragos by calling 727-441-9030 or filling out our online contact form.