It sounds like this was has been a difficult crisis for this family. I cannot imagine the stress and anguish if one of my own sons was severely injured and hospitalized following an accident. The suddenness of the crisis, the uncertainty of the outcome, the stress of the unexpected financial burdens not just from the bills but probably loss of income due to missing work to be by their side. It is a great deal to deal with. Add the additional paradox that their accident was a result of their own mistake, and it just multiplies.

People make mistakes, and sometimes those mistakes have very serious consequences. They don't intend for their actions to result in those consequences, but sometimes they do.

What if this was a person who got drunk at a party and then was assaulted? Would they be deserving of empathy then? Or, would the same apply? "They chose to drink and attend the party, so it's their fault and I have no sympathy for their situation."

What is if was a woman who had sex and ended up pregnant because in the heat of the moment, they didn't use birth control? Now her life is forever changed due to the error of those minutes in her life. Would she be deserving of empathy? Or, would the same apply? "She chose not to keep her legs crossed and she didn't use protection, so it's her fault and I have no sympathy for the situation."

What if this was a person who made a suicide attempt? Would they be deserving of empathy then? Or, would the same apply? "They chose to try to kill themselves when there were resources available to them, so it's their fault their bills are stacking up and I have no sympathy for their situation."

People make errors in their life. Unless this was someone who had a repeated history of drinking and driving, which you haven't indicated, it sounds like this was a young adult who went out to have fun, and made some poor decisions that resulted in really bad consequences for him and his family. I am NOT saying drinking and driving is okay. I AM saying that if this was a one-time error as is the unfortunate case so many times, I would feel badly for the situation this family has been left in. Would I contribute? I don't know, but I wouldn't feel the need to vocalize my views to others; sometimes keeping our mouths shut is the best help we can give.

I think most of us have made stupid decisions that had serious consequences, and we are grateful to those who didn't condemn us as unworthy of sympathy and second chances in life. I'm glad to hear there are people in this person's life willing to show support and forgiveness in such a difficult time; it sounds like they will need that kind of friendship and love as they move forward and through this crisis.