      
   4.9146 reviews

Should I Sue a Friend or Family Member after an Accident?

Request a Case Review

Kantrowitz, Goldhamer, Graifman, Perlmutter & Carballo, P.C.

10b9db026d89119e951a851045ac17eee7784f79

Written/Reviewed By:

Barry S. Kantrowitz, Esq.

Last Updated: Jun 6, 2026

Read Time: 4 mins

If you are injured in a car accident, it may be necessary to sue a friend or family member to recover financial compensation for your injuries. While you may not like the idea of doing that, they will understand once the legal process has been explained to them. Additionally, filing a car accident lawsuit will not affect them financially—unless there is rate increase in their insurance.

The Insurance Company Benefits if You Do Not Sue

When you file a car accident lawsuit, any compensation that you receive will come from the defendant’s insurance company– not the defendant. However, if you don’t file a claim, the only one who benefits is the insurance company because it will not be required to pay you anything.

Will I Cause My Friend’s Insurance Rates to Rise?

One concern many people have about suing a friend or relative is that their insurance rates will increase. This does not always happen. However, if it does, their rate would’ve gone up anyway once the insurance company discovered the accident– your claim will not directly trigger the increase.

Your Medical Costs Could be Overwhelming

If you are injured in a car crash, anyone who cares about your well-being will want you to receive compensation to help you recover. Your friend or a family member has already paid for this insurance, so why not use it? Some accidents cause severe, life-changing injuries that lead to steep medical bills, extensive time missed from work, and more. Some of the types of damages that you may seek in a car accident lawsuit include the following:

All medical costs— including transportation by ambulance or helicopter, emergency room visits, hospital stays, doctors’ appointments, procedures, surgeries, physical therapy, assistive devices, prescription medications, and in-home care.
Lost wages— which covers the time from work that you are forced to miss due to your physical or psychological injuries.
Loss of earning capacity— which is triggered in situations where you may be able to return to the workforce but must do so in a reduced or diminished capacity with a lower salary.
Pain and suffering—this can refer to the psychological trauma of the accident, loss of consortium, and the depression that may ensue when faced with daily physical pain from the accident.

Your Friend or Family Member Wants the Best for You

Some car accident victims suffer $1 million or more in damages. With your life permanently altered and disabled because of this crash, your friend or family member will likely want you to have every resource possible to begin rebuilding your life. While you may feel hesitant to do so, they might accept that you are suing them because that may be your only means to recover any financial compensation from the insurance company.

Will They Have to Pay Legal Fees?

To further ease your concerns about suing a relative, that person will not even have to pay to hire an attorney, as the insurance company will provide legal representation free of charge. Additionally, if they were at fault for the crash, the insurance company has the right to raise their premiums regardless of whether you file a claim.

Why It Can Help to Consult with an Experienced Lawyer

At Kantrowitz, Goldhamer, Graifman, Perlmutter & Carballo, P.C., we understand the stress of mounting medical bills and other expenses. It’s essential to consult a car accident attorney. They can help you fully understand the impact on you and your finances if you do not file a claim and the impact on your friend or family member if you do.

Contact Us for a Free Case Review

For 46 years, at Kantrowitz, Goldhamer, Graifman, Perlmutter & Carballo, P.C., we have been fighting to achieve justice on behalf of injured victims, and we have recovered millions of dollars in settlements and jury verdicts for our valued clients.

If you have any questions about whether or not you should sue a friend or family member after an accident, call us today to book a cost-free case review. Because we work on a contingency fee basis, you will never receive a bill from us unless you win your case.

Why Trust Us?

150+ Reviews

50+ Years of Service

Full-Service Law Firm

Client Reviews

    
 
 
      Posted on Google  
   LWelsh 
 8 days ago
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Clever and efficient.
  
 
     Posted on Google  
   Kenny Perlow 
 29 days ago
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. KGG Law, and Barry Kantrowitz in particular, set the bar high for what a thorough, practical, strategic, compassionate and smart lawyer can be. Everything about Barry's advice and representation was exemplary and the stress mitigation that resulted was invaluable. On top of that, the ultimate result Barry achieved was beyond what was reasonable to expect and we are forever grateful. Often, people say that you hire a lawyer to prevent a problem. Sometimes, unfortunately, you need an attorney to solve a problem and I could not recommend Barry and his firm any more highly in that regard.
  
 
     Posted on Google  
   Aliza Ali 
 93 days ago
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. My dad had a great experience with this law firm. From the very beginning, the team was professional, knowledgeable, and always willing to answer our questions. They kept us informed throughout the entire process and made what could have been a very stressful situation much easier to handle. We truly appreciated their dedication, honesty, and hard work. Thanks to their support, my dad felt confident every step of the way. We are very grateful for everything they did and would highly recommend this firm to anyone looking for reliable legal representation.
  
 
     Posted on Google  
   Jana Montero 
 96 days ago
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. I had a wonderful experience working with Sam Smith. He was very responsive, thorough, and easy to work with from start to finish. He walked me through everything clearly and made what started as a very stressful situation for me into something completely manageable. I would not hesitate to recommend him and the firm!
  
 
     Posted on Google  
   Mike Sakmann 
 102 days ago
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. I sought legal advice regarding an employment matter and had an excellent experience working with Sam Smith, Esq. at KGG Law. Sam was thorough, attentive, and took the time to listen carefully to my concerns before providing clear, thoughtful guidance. I appreciated the professionalism and care shown throughout the process, and I would confidently recommend KGG Law to anyone in need of legal assistance.
  
 
     Posted on Google  
   Liz Hecker 
 108 days ago
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. I can't say enough about this firm. They manage to comfort you during the whole legal process while staying professional and doing what is right. I would recommend them to anyone and also hire them again if I need legal help.
  
 
     Posted on Google  
   Brandy Miller 
 131 days ago
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Kate is the best. She helped me very quickly, and was very attentive with all of my needs. So thankful for her
  
 
     Posted on Google  
   Mike Greenspan 
 144 days ago
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Kate Carballo is a dedicated, passionate, and creative attorney whom I had the pleasure to lecture with at a state trial lawyer's conference. Kate's lecture demonstrated how she uses her innovative and "out-of-the-box thinking" to achieve outstanding results for her injured clients. That Kate is certified by the Supreme Court of New Jersey as a civil trial attorney is a testament to her skills, experience and commitment to excellence.
  
 
     Posted on Google  
   Jonathan Sampson 
 151 days ago
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Was referred to KGG law by a friend and could not have asked for better legal representation. They walked me through every step of the process after my accident and began every call with “ how are you feeling” which was just one example of how much they care about their clients. They handled my case very efficiently, professionally and courteously. My attorney Kate Carballo was a rock star! So clearly experienced, she consistently made me feel at ease with the process. Highly recommend
  
 
     Posted on Google  
   Vinnie Kung 
 154 days ago
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. We had a great experience with the team at KGG Law. While it was a traumatic time for our family, they made it very easy for us and explained all of our options. They even performed due diligence to make sure that after our settlement, there would be no further issues which I think is even more important than the settlement itself. Thank you!

see all reviews

Should I Sue a Friend or Family Member after an Accident?

Why Trust Us?

Rockland County, New York

Bergen County, New Jersey