Have you been injured in a car accident through no fault of your own? If so, do you feel guilty about suing the person or persons responsible for your injuries?
You aren’t alone. A lot of people feel like they will be perceived as greedy opportunists out to make a “quick buck” off a chance accident. Here’s what you need to remember when that line of thought starts to get to you:
1. You aren’t asking for “free money.”
Some people may treat your accident like it was a winning lottery ticket. In reality, however, there’s no such thing as “free money.” You suffered a great deal of pain and inconvenience, and you have every right to seek compensation.
2. The money may be necessary to make your life a bit easier.
Particularly if you’ve suffered any kind of permanent injury, the money you receive from a car accident lawsuit can help pay for things like your ongoing physical therapy, help cleaning your house and modifications to your home to enhance your mobility. Most people don’t realize exactly how limited they can be after suffering a car accident injury — until they find themselves struggling to get up the steps or vacuum the floor in their own home.
3. A lawsuit discourages reckless behavior.
Can you imagine what it would be like if there were no consequences for negligent or reckless behavior on the road? The law doesn’t always treat such behavior as criminal, so the only way to get justice may be to hold the party who is responsible for an accident financially accountable for their actions.
If you’re hesitant to file a claim after a serious car accident, consider consulting an attorney.