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.

Categorised in:

Request Your Free
Case Evaluation

Get the legal help you need from
The Law Offices of Max G. Arnold.

Send us a Message

Text Us

We Take Care of Our Clients

April 1, 2025 Garbage Mail
"The tragic traffic collision I experienced was significantly improved thanks to the exceptional service provided by Max G. Arnold and his st..."
March 28, 2025 Shanna Maldonado
"Bandi and Keri at the Chico office location took care of every detail for my daughter and I after our accident. If we are unfortunate enoug..."
March 26, 2025 Ratio
"I was involved in a bad car accident, I called this law firm and they were extremely knowledgeable, professional and truly made me feel conf..."
March 22, 2025 Alexia_ Cassandra V.
"Had a bad accident? I definitely recommend The Law Office of Max G. Arnold. My little brother and I were in a scary car wreck back in Septem..."
March 18, 2025 Kevin K
"Max, Misty, Brian and the whole team did a fantastic job of winning my injury case! Even though I live in another state, they tenaciously pu..."
The Law Offices of Max G. Arnold