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Can You Sue a Friend or Family Member for Your Injuries? The Answer May Surprise You

An accident and consequent injury can lead to physical and emotional pain as you attempt to make sense of what just happened. Whether it was an auto accident, child injuries at a party or pool, a dog bite, sports-related injury, and so on, injuries can have a profound impact on your life. However, what if who caused the accident happens to be your friend or family member? The thought of holding someone close accountable for their actions can be too much to bear for the majority of us due to the moral implications, as well as the thought that doing so may irreparably destroy our relationship with them.

Even with the knowledge that it isn’t them that will pay for our damages per se, but the insurance company, suing a friend or family member due to an injury can be something many of us aren’t willing to do. However, not doing so may leave you struggling when it comes to your medical care, lost wages, as well as create a strained relationship on account of the bitterness that you may harbor on account of their actions. At McCready Law, we believe in handling every claim with the compassion and sensitivity it deserves, as well as making sure that you get the compensation to cover your recovery and well-being while preserving relationships – read on to find out more.

Are you looking for the best injury lawyer? Please call us NOW at (314) 481-63338 to learn more about your legal options for justice and compensation. The experienced injury attorneys at McCready Law bring to the table over 90 YEARS of combined legal experience, where we’ve helped tens of thousands of injured Americans from all over the country recover compensation after getting injured on account of the negligence of other individuals or large corporations. Over the decades, we have been able to successfully recover over $260 million and counting for our clients, with some of these judgments or settlements ranging in the hundreds of thousands and even millions for cases that involve catastrophic injury or wrongful death.

Our success can be attributed to a number of factors, such as the fact that our lawyers personally handle all claims and we do not shunt them over to paralegals or legal assistants, as is common in most law firms, a practice that can jeopardize the outcome of a case. We also engage highly experienced and renowned experts in the forensic science, investigative, medical and accounting fields to ensure that your injuries are objectively documented and that causation is demonstrated, negligence proved and your injuries are quantified by way of damages. We run a bilingual firm (hablamos Español), and we have nationwide reach thanks to our vast network of trusted referral attorneys.

Lastly, we take on all cases on contingency fee basis, which simply means that there are ZERO UPFRONT FEES for the duration of the processing of your claim, as we only levy our fees at the end of the suit, and only if we’ve recovered compensation on your behalf. If you or a loved one got injured by someone you know in your family or friend circle, please give us a call NOW at (314) 481-63338 to learn more about your legal options for justice and compensation – our intake team is standing by.

I Got Injured by a Family Member or Friend – Should I File an Injury Lawsuit?

If you get injured by a stranger, seeking legal redress by way of a personal injury lawsuit is something you do without a second thought, as there is no emotional involvement or history there. However, if the defendant is a family member or close friend, the emotional landscape becomes complicated.

We feel a sense of obligation to our loved ones, and we instinctively try to shield them from any stress or disruption in their lives. In addition, the concept of suing someone conjures images of heated courtroom battles, accusations, and lastly, broken relationships. Many would take the whole process personally even if they rationally understand that it’s a claim against an insurance policy.

That said, opting not to sue family or close friends may have dire consequences, such as:

  1. Soaring medical bills from ongoing treatments, physical therapy, medications, and so on
  2. Lost wages due to not being able to work as well as long-term loss of earning capacity
  3. Pain and suffering due to the emotional distress, mental anguish, and declining mental health on account of the trauma associated with an accident and injuries
  4. The potential loss of future medical needs, such as adaptive equipment, lifelong medical care, etc.

What Happens if I Don’t Sue My Friend or Family Member in an Injury Claim?

Having your morals dictate your decision not to sue your family member or friend for their role in your injury is not only financially unsustainable but may also lead to deeper resentment and further strain on your relationship on account of the financial devastation you may endure as well as the poor health you may have to live with for a very long time.

The Insurance Company is the real Defendant, Not Your Loved One

In order to reconcile the moral conflict you may have to endure, it is important to understand that a personal injury claim is not against your loved one’s personal finances, but it is a claim against an insurance policy. These insurance policies explicitly cover these situations, and they protect the would-be perpetrator from financial ruin in the event they cause one.

Additionally, while the lawsuit paperwork may name your family member or friend as the defendant, the truth is that the insurance company is the real defendant, as they are contractually obligated to defend a policyholder and pay valid claims. That is to say, they will be the ones to hire lawyers, conduct investigations, and in the end, pay the compensation.

Best Countrywide Injury Lawyers – Call Us Today!

We understand that this may be a sticky situation, and you may not want to go through with suing a friend or family member, but not doing so may lead to even worse outcomes for your friendship or relationship. Conflicted? Give us a call NOW at (314) 481-63338 so we can provide you with an extended assessment of your claim at NO COST to you. Thanks for choosing McCready Law, and we look forward to helping you.