This man had already paid gravely for the accident that happened years ago, but it seems it wasn’t enough for the victim’s parents. Should he give in and send them more money?
Road Traffic Accident
OP (Original Poster) was involved in a road traffic accident when he was 28—5 years ago. This accident resulted in a five-year-old child getting injured.
Motorcycle Enthusiast
He explained that he was an avid motorcycle enthusiast who often went on cross-country road trips on his bike. During one of these trips, a child suddenly ran across the highway.
OP lost control and unfortunately collided with the child. As a result, the child’s legs were injured.
His Parents
OP then shared that the child’s parents were pulled up ahead and were “smoking weed.” He said, “They hadn’t even noticed that the child had gotten out of the car.”
Legal Battles
Because of what had happened, the kid’s parents sued OP. However, because he was going under the speed limit and not inebriated, he was let off with warnings.
He was also ordered to pay for the court processing fees for the parents.
The Child’s Injuries
At the time, the child’s injuries did not seem that serious. He suffered from a fractured leg and had to have surgery, but that was about it.
Feeling Guilty
Even though he did not need to do it, OP was “deeply shaken” about what had happened and felt “extremely guilty.”
So, he volunteered to pay for the surgery, which amounted to around $34,000.
He Had Suffered Enough
OP shared that he suffered from PTSD and depression since the accident happened. He also started therapy and is currently taking antidepressants.
He said, “Though I am way better than before, I still need therapy once every few weeks and have the occasional nightmare.”
A Complication
Currently, the child has been diagnosed with “something called contractures and myositis ossificans,” which were complications from the surgery. Because of this, he had a difficult time walking.
He needs to have another surgery to fix the issue.
Breathing Down His Throat
The child’s parents kept contacting and pressuring OP, demanding he gives them more money. However, OP “downright refused.”
Conflicted Thoughts
OP asked some of his friends and his partner for advice. However, some of them said that he was an a**hole.
He ended by saying, “I am deeply conflicted and would like some feedback regarding this issue.”
What Redditors Think
For members of the community, OP was clearly not the one at fault.
One wrote, “Not the a**hole. Everything that happened was never your fault. That kid ran into the road because their parents were too baked to notice. You paid for the kid’s surgery even after the parents tried to sue you! You have gone above and beyond; there is nothing to feel guilty about at all.”
His Parents Should Be Accountable
People also pointed out that the child’s parents did not watch him properly the day the accident happened.
“The irresponsibility of the parents caused injury to their child and OP—monetary and psychological. OP already helped when he wasn’t obligated to. I hope OP overcomes his trauma and rediscovers his love for the road again,” shared one Redditor.
You Could Sue Them!
A couple of Redditors brought up the possibility of suing the child’s parents for what they’ve done so he could get them off his back.
A user suggested, “I mean, in a legal sense, I’m pretty sure that OP could sue the parents for emotional damages—his development of PTSD and depression is directly linked to this incident, assuming that he has proof that he began treatment as a result of this. I’m not saying that he should do that, but just want OP to know that he’s not the a**hole, the parents are, and they want to push their own guilt onto OP.” Another agreed and said, “He could certainly tell them that he plans to sue them for emotional damages if they do not leave him alone, though. They might call his bluff, but I doubt it.”
The Parents’ Audacity
People couldn’t believe that OP had been that generous, and still, the child’s parents continued tormenting him years after the accident.
One woman wrote, “Unless it’s a typo, OP already gave them $34,000! He didn’t even have to do that because the accident wasn’t his fault. Now the child’s parents have the audacity to ask for more? I mean, come on.” Another said, “The only a**holes here are the parents and a medical system that would let a little boy suffer because their parents don’t have money. Not the a**hole.”
Possible Child Neglect
Some users knowledgeable in the medical field or at least knew of the child’s condition brought up some interesting information.
“Hopping on in case OP is interested, myositis ossificans is basically that muscles are calcified and become boney,” said one woman. Another replied, “Forgive me if I’m wrong, but this could actually have been prevented or at least managed if it was treated early on by a physiotherapist. Sounds like the parents are still neglecting their child.”
The American Healthcare System Is the Worst
There were also Redditors who argued against the person who said the parents seemed to be “still neglecting” their child.
One said, “It’s not necessarily neglect because healthcare is way too expensive in the USA, and if the parents couldn’t afford physiotherapy, there was nothing they could have done.”
You Need New Friends
Though everyone had many things to say, one thing’s for sure: Redditors believe that OP was not at fault, nor was he an a**hole.
One even said, “OP needs new friends!”
What should OP do now? Do you have any other advice?
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This post first appeared as He Covered the $34,000 Surgery of the Child He Hit With His Motorcycle. Years Later, the Kid’s Parents Continue to Hound Him for Money, but He Refuses to Give More! on Quote Ambition.
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