Lawyers are valuable resources for all kinds of legal questions and issues, and different people will benefit from a lawyer’s help depending on their individual situation as opposed to trying to research the problem yourself or getting advice from a friend. Here are 4 common examples of times when it may be useful to seek a lawyer’s advice.
1. Injured By Someone Else’s Negligence
Negligence is a major cause of legal cases and injuries, and people who have been injured by someone else’s negligence may be able to receive compensation for their injury with the help of a personal injury lawyer. As evident on this law firm in Gold Coast, there are law firms that have departments that specially deal with personal injury suits. People constantly make mistakes and accidents happen, and when those accidents result in someone else getting injured, this may result in a personal injury suit. Personal injury is a broad term that covers a range of injuries, from slips, trips, and falls in a store to car accidents.
In some cases, it may be clear that someone else is at fault for a certain injury, but it may not be so simple when the laws in your state consider you partially at fault as well even if evidence shows that you are innocent. For instance, if someone is walking down the street and trips over a hole that was created by some construction work on a sidewalk, but they had headphones on and were listening to music while looking at their phone, then the person who caused the construction work may be considered responsible for paying damages.
However, if that person also failed to put up a warning sign or barricade that could have prevented someone from tripping into that hole, then the injured person may also be partially at fault and it will be necessary to determine what percentage each party is responsible for when paying damages.
If you were partially at fault in some way but another person was entirely to blame for your injury, then they will be held responsible for paying damages, but you may also need to pay some damages as well. This is called contributory negligence and it differs from state to state whether you must pay a specific amount or a percentage of your overall damages based on your degree of fault.
2. Contract Disputes
When two parties sign a contract that specifies exactly what each one is responsible for and how they will be paid, then this typically resolves any issues that may arise because everything has been stipulated in writing. However, if there is something that was left out of the contract or a mistake made when it was written, then you may have to go back to court over a contract dispute. Issues like this can be contentious and require a lawyer’s help since they are the only ones who have the legal expertise to guide you through this process.
3. Authentication of an Inheritance
If someone unexpectedly dies, then there are certain steps that must be taken in order to claim the inheritance. If someone dies and they have a will, then the court may require the executor of their estate to prove that this is actually the person’s will so their wishes may be carried out. This is called probate and it must be done as soon as possible after death because if an inheritance isn’t claimed in a certain amount of time it may become the property of the state.
If there were any specific items left to certain people as part of their inheritance, then those must be identified as well so the executor knows who gets what among other things. In complex cases where a will is contested before it’s been officially recognized, some lawyers specialize in probate law and will know how to get matters settled.
4. Accused of a Crime
If you’re accused of committing a crime, then it’s in your best interest to consult with a criminal lawyer as soon as possible. This will be especially true if you face serious charges that can lead to incarceration and lengthy prison sentences. A qualified attorney may be able to negotiate certain terms for their clients that may lead to lesser charges or a reduced sentence, but they can also help prove their innocence if this is the better option.
In some cases, attorneys may be able to get clients who are guilty of technicalities such as a search and seizure violation or lack of probable cause that led to an arrest in the first place. A lawyer will know what to look for and how to fight back if their client is being treated unfairly according to the law.
Legal trouble can arise from a wide variety of circumstances and having an experienced lawyer on your side can make all the difference. They have the legal expertise required to help you navigate even the most difficult situations, so consult one as soon as possible if you ever find yourself in need.
