On Mon, 5 Mar 2007 15:07:16 -0700, Peter R. wrote
(in article ) :

On 3/5/2007 3:08:03 PM, "chris" wrote:

This is why the rest of the world thinks there is
something wrong with Americans!

Um, it's not Americans, but rather the American legal system about which you
are complaining. As an American, I can tell you that I am just as ****ed off
about these types of lawsuits as perhaps the majority of us are. These types
of lawsuits have really changed our society for the worse over the last
thirty years.

If it makes you feel any better about some of us here, back in 1985 I was
riding my motorcycle down a two-lane street when an automobile pulled out of
a driveway and crossed right in front of me left to right. I was unable to
avoid the car, hit the driver's side door and catapulted over the top of the
car. It was clearly the other driver's fault.

The insurance company covered my lost income while I recovered, my medical
expenses, and damage to my motorcycle. I let it go at that and didn't bother
suing them for large amounts of pain and suffering despite the fact that it
would have been an open-and-shut case.




Same here. I was riding my bicycle (I used to do triathlon) and a car coming
the other way turned left in front of me and hit me head on. The driver was
uninsured (she already had 7 outstanding traffic tickets, and got two more
because of the accident), so my uninsured motorist policy ended up covering
my medical bills and my homeowners policy replaced the $3000 bicycle. They
told me I was entitled to compensation for pain and suffering. I just
thought, what -- how much would I charge to allow someone to hit me with
their car? It was ridiculous. So I let it go. But the fact is it compressed
my spine, took away my ability to run, swim or ride, and left me with
annoying pain for the rest of my life. Luckily, I am still able to fly.

--
Waddling Eagle
World Famous Flight Instructor