You might think that the average person will never need the help of a lawyer. Surely, lawyers are just for criminals or perhaps business owners right? It’s understandable that you might think this, but it’s far from the case. In fact, it’s true to say that most lawyers won’t work for hardcore criminals, but rather people like you or me. Average members of the public who have probably never even stolen a sweet from a pick and mix at the theatre.
We come across several tasks and problems daily. Some are solved by the institutions already working in society. But some issues have legal dimensions. For that, one has to contact the respective lawyer to get assistance.
Not all law cases are related to crimes. In fact, most are based on civil disputes like the sale of property or the end of a marriage. That’s why you can’t assume that just because you never break the law you’ll never need a lawyer. Most likely you will. The question is why. Here are some of the most common reasons why someone like you might find yourself contacting a lawyer.
1. Road crimes
Not everyone who obeys the law always follows all the rules of the road. There are a few different reasons why this might be the case. And it causes severe consequences. More than 1.35 million people die every year on roadways, and many get personally injured or disabled. There can be many situations that can cause road accidents.
You might just break a road law accidentally. Perhaps you forgot to watch your speed on an open road and accidentally pushed over the limit as you passed a cop car. Or maybe, you didn’t see a sign saying you weren’t allowed to park in an area and received a ticket. Perhaps, you simply didn’t realize that the regulation existed at all.
In some states in America, road and traffic laws vary depending on where you are. It can be hard to keep track. Now, if you are willing to pay the fine it’s highly unlikely that you’re going to end up in court with a lawyer. But, if you think that the ticket was unfairly given to you just because of some weird traffic law, you might find yourself in traffic court. The stakes aren’t exactly high here but it’s your right to argue your case if you think you’ve been unfairly represented. So, while you may not always need a lawyer in this type of situation, it might be in your best interest to hire one anyway.
2. Road accident
We’re still on the road, this time thinking about an accidental collision. A lot can go wrong on the road and it might not always be the fault of a driver. But in some cases, there is a person to blame. If you have been injured in a traffic incident, you might find it in your interest to hold that person accountable.
An automobile accident attorney can help you do this if you hire their services. Hiring an automobile injury attorney will be important if you or a loved one has been severely injured in a road accident. These types of law cases are quite common. On the same front, you might need a lawyer to defend yourself against this type of claim. In most situations, your insurance company will handle the legal costs. But you might still find yourself hauled into court.
3. Personal injury
Of course, an injury doesn’t have to occur on the road. You could be injured anywhere at any time. But, if it’s on someone else’s property, you can bet that you can hold the property owner legally accountable. Similarly, if you own a property you can be held accountable for any injuries that occur on your property. It’s a two-way street.
Personal injuries have become more common in the UK and America. It’s become such a problem that the UK government is thinking about putting restrictions on who can make a PI claim. That’s bad news for lawyers but it’s brilliant for business owners. PI claims have been costing industries a fortune. Remember, even if you don’t own your property you could still find yourself in court thanks to a contract you signed with your landlord.
4. Divorce
Off the subject of injuries now it’s time to think about divorce lawsuits. Many people forget that when you get married you’re making more than an emotional commitment. You’re entering into a legal contract as well. “Till death do us part” isn’t just a declaration of love. It’s a reminder of the way things used to be. When the only way out of a marriage was if you died.
Now though there’s another option and that’s dissolving the partnership with a divorce. But due to this being a legal contract breaking it apart is a legal proceeding. If the divorce is not amicable on both sides, you’ll need a skilled one as well. Otherwise, you could find yourself losing a lot in the process of gaining your independence.
The first thing your lawyer will do is make sure that your joint accounts are frozen. This is crucial. Otherwise, your partner could hypothetically drain the account, leaving you with nothing. Then there’s the matter of how much each partner receives. This is usually determined by how long the marriage lasted and the income of each partner.
This is one of the reasons many couples choose to sign a prenup before marriage. Once again, this can be arranged with the help of an attorney. It’s a particularly attractive possibility if one partner is earning considerably more than the other.
5. Writing a will
Finally, it only seems fitting that we end with the ultimate conclusion, death. When you start to think about your death you do need to write a will. You need to make sure that your last wishes are honored. This might be to do with whether you want to be buried or cremated. Or, it could be about what happens to your financial assets after your passing. The only way to ensure that everything happens the way you want it to is to write a will. Otherwise, family members and other loved ones could battle for what you leave behind. It’s sad to think about, but it wouldn’t be the first time. The will needs to be iron clad and that’s why you need to hire a lawyer to help you write it.
Final thoughts:
In some cases, you might not need a lawyer to solve the issue. But in others, you will need one to understand the complex law and proceedings. A skilled and professional lawyer will fight your case and make every step of the court proceeding smooth and uninterrupted.