In general, filing a lawsuit can be a pretty easy process. Among strangers, it’s all about the facts – one person is hurt and the other Is exercising their legal rights to ensure they get the compensation they deserve. But when a lawsuit becomes personal, it’s a very different scenario. Emotions run high and suddenly, the process doesn’t seem so simple.

Suing Someone You Know

Be it a friend or family member, it’s not uncommon for people who know each other to sue for damages. Common scenarios involve being injured as a passenger in a friend’s car should they get into an accident, or if a person gets hurt while on their friend’s property. Either one is a valid suit. A big reason people will forego suing someone they know is that it feels like a personal attack.

A common misconception is that when an injured party sues someone they know, they are suing them directly. In many situations, this simply isn’t the case. If your friend has insurance, more often than not, you wouldn’t be suing them but instead filing a claim with their insurance. In many cases, there will be a feature in their coverage for the injury of a friend while in their care or on their premises. Your friend will likely have to pay a deductible for the insurance company to cover the needed amount.

The process of filing this claim often consists of filing paperwork and waiting for the payout. But sometimes, the insurance company will take longer than normal to process the pay-out. When the insurance company fails to co-operate, suing your friend directly may be your only option.

An injury is an injury – when you sue someone you know; it simply isn’t personal. You’re just trying to make sure you don’t end up in a bad way just because you do not want a lawsuit straining your relationship. With the right assistance, a lawyer could work directly with the insurance company to avoid directly suing the person you know.

If you or someone you know has been injured while in the care or vicinity of someone they know and are considering filing a lawsuit, contact The Paris Firm today to schedule a consultation for your case.

The articles on this blog are for informative purposes only and are no substitute for legal advice or an attorney/client relationship. If you are seeking legal advice, please contact our law firm directly.