What Should I Do When Someone Offers Me Money To Keep Quiet After a Car Accident?

January 17, 2023

Many personal injury victims can tell the same story; bang, out of nowhere, they find themselves in need of car accident lawyers and help. It was a busy day, and you were alert and aware. You remember the light turning yellow as you slowed down, coming to a stop at the line as it turned red. Then it happened — the screeching of brakes and then that simultaneous crunching of metal and a jolt.

Like it is in many cases, fortunately, the damage often sounds worse than it is, and is more cosmetic (e.g., bumper damage, broken tail light, etc.) than mechanical. We are also often seemingly unhurt, at least at that moment.

What Personal Injury Victims Need To Know

Still groggy and feeling a bit dazed, perhaps, the next thing you know, the driver of the car that just hit you is at your window. They ask questions like, are you okay, or do you need an ambulance?

As we emerge from these incidents, as we often and luckily do, no apparent injury may be evident. That doesn’t mean, however, that you haven’t been hurt. There is also nothing wrong with the at-fault driver checking on you. After all, they are responsible.

What isn’t okay, though, is when the other driver offers to pay you for the damages right there. Not only should this send up red flags, but it is also an offer that personal injury victims would be wise to talk an attorney about before accepting
.

Car Accident Lawyers

Step one is the exchange of information and then getting checked out by medical professionals. Step two is to contact your insurance company. Then you should always follow up with a call to car accident lawyers like the Law Offices of Max G. Arnold Inc., to cover all your bases.

Unfortunately, people accept these offers at the scene of an accident (remember, we aren’t clear-headed following such events). The good news is that it doesn’t automatically disqualify accident victims from seeking compensation. It can, however, make the process considerably more difficult.

The Law Offices of Max G. Arnold Inc.

Welcome to The Law Offices of Max G. Arnold, Inc., where we proudly apply over 35 years of legal experience to every case and for every client. At The Law Offices of Max G. Arnold, Inc., that experience also means we have a detailed understanding of all the legal obstacles you may face.

If you are looking for a car accident attorney, we have three offices in Chico, Redding, and Santa Rosa, California to serve you better. Contact us if you have any questions or to schedule an in-person case evaluation today.

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June 23, 2025 markos delgado
"Max G. And Diana helped me with my car accident and the situation with my old job. The service and communication are astonishing! They alway..."
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"Max G. And Diana helped me with my car accident and the situation with my old job. The service and communication are astonishing! They alway..."
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"The staff of The Law Offices of Max G. Arnold handled my case when I got into a car accident and they were truly the best! The staff here i..."
June 5, 2025 Judith Pacheco
"The staff of The Law Offices of Max G. Arnold handled my case when I got into a car accident and they were truly the best! The staff here i..."
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