Weight Distributing Hitch has anyone not used one

My first tow/TT setup needed WD, but as future weights and capacities grew it became unnecessary to use the WD system. Then a friend dealt with an accident with all the questions and accusations of an "unsafe" setup...among other things. He wasn't at fault, but once the lawyers pounced he realized, for the bucks for WD, he wouldn't tow without...it was all about perspective.