While accidents are commonplace, many can have legal consequences. Spilling hot coffee, slipping and falling, and the often-occurring automobile "fender bender" may cause injury to people and property and result in lawsuits seeking monetary damages. But some accidents are far more serious.

As a young adult, I was Renisha McBride. Traveling home from college late one evening, my car stalled. With no cell phone, and still miles away from home, I made Renisha's choice. I walked to the nearest home and knocked on the front door.