Are people always looking to sue?

Unfortunately, I may be an unwilling participant in America's litigious society -- fancy words for gosh I hope I don't get sued! How? Let me tell you...

So I was driving home during a normal commute minding my own business. A normal commute for me is driving bumper-to-bumper at an average speed of 35 miles per hour. So, I am driving on I-495 (Washington DC beltway) on the outer loop just outside of Tysons Corner. The traffic in front undergo a "brake check" unbeknownst to me. Long story short, I ran into the SUV in front of me at perhaps 15 MPH (yes, well below my average speed).

What happened next was rather comical. At least, I hope that it remains that way...

The lady I hit stayed in her car. We were in the "fast" lane and I wanted to move the cars over to the left shoulder. I put my hazard lights on and got out. As I as walking towards the car in front, cringing as I knew the damage to my car was gonna hurt, I noticed my BMW hood emblem and other artifacts on the road. Partly embarrassed, partly horror-struck, I quickly scooped up the the souvenirs and threw them in my trunk and proceeded to check on the lady and to have her move the car to the shoulder. As I approached the driver's window something seemed strange. The lady was holding a cell phone and she yelled something like "GET AWAY' and "I'M NOT COMING OUT". Now I often imagine I look like a tough guy, but I am certain I couldn't pull it off. So the lady couldn't possibly be intimidated. She sat here staring forward, wouldn't lower the window, and wouldn't even acknowledge my presence further. I stuck my hands in my pocket and tried to look natural as commuters from four lanes of bumper to bumper traffic stared. I then decided that I didn't want someone to rear end me and moved my a to the shoulder and waited for the authorities.

One ambulance, one emergency vehicle, a hook and ladder, a normal fire truck, a state police, and about 5 flares later...I stood their scratching my head thinking so that is where the tax money goes.

Apparently, the lady statue had already called 911 and yes folks claimed she couldn't move and that her neck was in pain. Luckily a witness had stopped and was kind enough to talk to the lady before the emergency workers arrived and pulled out the "jaws of life". She still would not move but my witness friend was able to at least turn on the hazard lights of the SUV.

So emergency workers strapped her neck and slowly pulled her out head first from the car and directly on to the stretcher. I was grateful this was not a serious accident but sadden to not be able to give a better show to the rubber neckers looking for blood. Although, the lady statue did put on quite a show. She wasn't so statuesque as she desperately asked for her cell phone while on the stretcher. She was either text messaging or calling someone with her arms straight in the air as she was being hauled into the ambulance. I'm sure it was her lawyer.

My car was bruised but I faired well otherwise. I was given a light ticket with no insurance implications and made friends with the officer who was a fellow Hokie and motorcycle rider. I await the call from a lawyer...