The Legal System Is Pain And Suffering

(I am hit by a car while jogging, and it is a hit-and-run. Thankfully I am not badly hurt and I am able to get enough information on the car to track down the driver the same day. Once I know who it is and am able to visit the ER on their insurance’s dime, I go and get fully checked out. It is confirmed that my injuries are minor. About a week later I’m in the break-room at work and a couple of middle-managers are in there at the same time. The accident comes up.)

Manager #1: “Oh, yeah, hit-and-run, right? Didn’t they catch the guy?”

Me: “Yes, they did.”

Manager #1: “That’s lucky. You’re going to be all right, I bet.”

Me: “Well, I went to the ER that same day and had x-rays and stuff, just to confirm I’m fine. I am.”

Manager #1: *looking a tad worried* “You are going to sue, right?”

Me: “No… I don’t expect that I will. I’m fine.”

Manager #1: “What if there are complications?”

Me: “Then I get a doctor to indicate that it’s a result of the accident, and I handle that with their insurance. Hopefully, if that happened, it would then just be handled, but I guess if they fought it I’d have to sue. But I’m not going to just sue for the heck of it. I’m fine.”

Manager #1: *condescendingly* “Well, what about pain and suffering?”

Me: *smarta** tone right back at her* “And how much does that go for these days?”

Manager #2: *seriously and dryly* “Easily $60,000.”

Manager #1: “Don’t be stupid and pass up your golden ticket.”

(No, I didn’t sue.)