Why You Shouldn't Accept Cash at an Accident Scene

If you are involved in an auto collision and the other driver is clearly liable, they might offer you cash compensation on the spot. That might seem like a good arrangement since it saves you the hassle or bureaucracy of an auto accident claim. Unfortunately, accepting cash at an accident scene is usually a bad idea. Below are some reasons against such an arrangement.

Delayed Injuries

Accident victims aren't always aware of their injuries immediately after a crash. Some injuries show up hours or even days after the accident. Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is an example of an injury that doesn't always show up right away.

For example, you might think that you only have a few scratches after a fender bender and accept a few hundred dollars. A few days later, you go to the doctor with a headache, and they diagnose you with TBI. In such a case, you will have to use your own money to take care of the TBI since you didn't include your injury in the compensation.

Hidden Damages

In addition to delayed injuries, the risk of hidden damages should also keep you from accepting on-the-spot compensation. Say you are in a rear-end collision. Your car might suffer visible bumper damage in addition to invisible damage under the car. If you accept cash at the accident scene for the bumper damage, you will have to foot the bill for undercarriage repair.

Damage Underestimation

Even if you know about your injuries or car damage, you might not know their values. For example, unless you work in the healthcare industry, you might not know how much you need to treat TBI. Unless you are a mechanic, you might not know how much a bumper replacement costs. With on-the-spot compensation, you might end up with less money than you deserve.

Limited Damages Compensation

As an auto accident victim, you deserve compensation for all losses related to the accident. If you accept cash at the accident scene, you will likely concentrate solely on property damage and injuries. As such, you might miss other damages such as:

• Pain and suffering (think loss of consortium, emotional pain, and reduced quality of life)
• Replacement or rental car
• Punitive damages

The only way to get such damages is to analyze your case, account for all the losses, and include them in your demand letter. An auto accident lawyer can help you with all these.

Driver's Ulterior Motives

If you accept cash compensation after an accident, you assume that the liable party has honest intentions. You assume that the motorist just wants to avoid bureaucracy and save time. Unfortunately, human nature being what it is, some motorists are not that virtuous. Some people have ulterior motives for offering cash on the spot after a crash.

For example, some auto insurance scams involve motorists who offer cash compensation to their accident victims. A short while later, the motorist turns around and accuses you of causing the accident. By then, the evidence that can prove your innocence is probably gone.

Potential Repair Issues

Lastly, you should know that most auto insurance companies have good relationships with multiple shops. Some insurance careers even have arrangements with auto repair shops for discounts on accident repairs. Thus, if you accept cash compensation, you might spend more money to fix the damage than the insurer would have spent. The compensation money might even be inadequate.

Ideally, you let the other driver's auto insurer or your auto insurer, depending on liability, to handle the compensation. Talk to Borbi, Clancy & Patrizi to evaluate your case and help you pursue your auto accident damages. We will help you avoid the issues associated with on-the-spot compensation.