I'd suggest first contacting each financial institution and see if they can help you before filing bankruptcy. The problem with bankruptcy is that you'll have to list all your assets, including collections, computers and other data processing equipment, entertianment appliances, because if they need to they will liquidate beginning with your belongings.
Unless you don't have a lot of things like that which is better.
Within 3 - 5 years you can apply for more credit or loans with a higher percentage rate than usual, but the good thing is that as the years pass by you can renegotiate all that. It will mess with your credit pretty good.
So, yes, I know someone who had to do it--loss of job and paycheck got him.