What If The At-fault Driver Offers Me Money At The Accident Scene?
When an at-fault driver offers you money at the accident scene, it can be tempting to accept the offer. Nonetheless, even though it might appear wise to accept the cash, you may want to reconsider. Taking money from another driver at an accident scene could be risky. Read on to learn more.
Why Would an At-fault Motorist Offer You Cash at the Accident Scene?
After being in a car accident with a negligent driver, there are several reasons why the driver would offer you cash at the accident scene. The following are some of the reasons an at-fault motorist would offer you money at the accident scene;
- They may not want their insurance company involved, which could increase their insurance premiums.
- They may be uninsured or underinsured.
- They may not want the accident reported as it would become part of their driving record.
- They may want to avoid paying you more in a legal claim.
Is It Against the Law for an At-fault Driver To Offer Me Money at the Accident Scene?
No law forbids an at-fault motorist from offering a victim cash at the accident scene. Also, no law forbids a crash victim from taking money from the other driver at the accident scene. Nonetheless, despite the practice not being unlawful, you need to be wary of an at-fault motorist who offers you money immediately after an accident. Even if the at-fault driver exchanges contact information with you and tells you that you can contact them if you need more money, you should not be quick to accept a cash offer at the accident scene.
Risks of Taking Money From an At-fault Motorist at the Accident Scene
Several risks come with taking money from an at-fault driver immediately after an accident. Firstly, it is impossible to understand the full extent of your injuries immediately after a car accident. You may have suffered severe injuries that end up resulting in substantial medical expenses. Secondly, immediately after an accident, you may not know the amount of vehicle damage. Your car damage may be more extensive than you think. Lastly, if you accept money from another driver at the accident scene, you may miss out on compensation for other damages, such as lost wages and pain and suffering.
In conclusion, it is vital to note that accepting cash from an at-fault driver at the accident scene could affect your chances of filing an insurance claim. Indeed, you can still file an insurance claim even after accepting cash from an at-fault driver and recover compensation. However, it may be argued that your claim is invalid because you already took money from the driver.
Legal Help Is Available
If you have been in a Florida car accident, we advise you to reach out to our West Palm Beach personal injury attorneys at The Pendas Law Firm before accepting money from anyone. We offer free initial consultations.
The Pendas Law Firm also represents clients in the Orlando, Ocala, Tampa, Jacksonville, Miami, Daytona Beach, Bradenton, Fort Lauderdale, and Fort Myers areas.
