If you've been sued, how did you feel when you read the complaint?

I was quite outraged.  I had nothing to do with the injury that was the cause of action.  I was angry that it cost me a lawyer's fee to present to the court - it wasn't small claims court - the affidavit that I went and got, attesting to the fact that I was not the owner of the motor vehicle used in the accident that caused the injury.  The suit against me was dismissed with prejudice, meaning it could not be re-opened against me. Had it been small claims court, I could have presented that document myself.

Angry. Outraged. Determined to win at any cost. Which I did, with my insurance company's attorney protecting their interests and my own attorney protecting mine.

It was a traffic accident that killed someone, which was and is a tragedy. But it was an accident, no negligence, no alcohol or drugs, no excessive speed, just a car stopped to turn that wasn't seen in time for the car behind them to stop on a wet road where the speed limit was 55.

But when the victim's family saw us, they assumed (incorrectly) that we were rich and thought the death of their daughter was also a chance to get rich themselves. They hired Johnny Cochran's law firm and sued us for $24 million.

I remember overhearing someone mutter "rich b----" when I entered the courtroom. I was wearing a blouse I'd bought at Goodwill, a home-made skirt, and a coat I got at Salvation Army, with boots more than ten years old. My entire outfit cost half what the brand new football-team leisure wear the person suing me wore.