Yeah, after the fact might work too. But the fact being painful and an experienced of how bad how they treat others is, I've also seen help, in a "Damn, have I've been such a jerk to others all along?" way.

Else many will often brush it off and reboot the "jerk" act when they've recovered.

Especially if they feel entitled to the help and compassion shown to them when they're down, and it helps them recover faster and scratch free (and thus makes the falling down less impactful). In that case they end up still not valuing said help and compassion (because for them it was on full and easy supply).