Ruby McKenzie
Life is complicated. And it’s never more abundantly, in-your-face complicated than when you’ve been injured in an incident or accident. While physical recovery should be taking precedence, you likely also have to worry about finances, your work, and the mountain of paperwork you seem to need to fill out. It’s not uncommon in this situation to wonder whether or not you need a lawyer. The following will examine a few instances when hiring a lawyer is absolutely essential.
If You’re Feeling Pressured
If you find yourself in a situation where you’re being pressured by an employer, a job, or another party involved in the incident to perform a certain action or have a certain response, you need to seek out support. In many cases, pursuing one course of action or signing one piece of paperwork can result in you legally forfeiting the right to pursue another pathway if you later find out it’s in your best interest.
Speaking with a lawyer can help you understand why other people involved are pressuring you and how best to respond. It’s a good idea to speak to an attorney before you speak to an insurance company or have a debrief at work, as this will help you enter those situations prepared and aware of the possibilities. You don’t want someone misleading you or misguiding you, especially if you’re in the early stages of your injury and don’t fully know how long recovery is going to take or whether a full recovery is possible. It’s completely okay to advocate for yourself by saying something like: I’m just going to get a little advice, and then I’ll come back to this. Anyone who is bothered by this approach probably doesn’t have your best interests at heart.
If You’re Feeling Confused
If you don’t understand what happened to you or what’s going on now that people are reacting to the injury, it’s vital that you speak to a legal professional. An attorney can help with your personal injury claim by explaining each aspect of the process to you clearly, and in words you understand. It’s far too easy for a company or insurance provider to take advantage of someone who’s confused. If you don’t understand even a single piece of what’s being placed before you, pause the whole situation and seek out legal counsel.
The law is a highly-complicated, ever-evolving collection of antiquated Latin-inspired laws combined with modern-day reinterpretations and alterations. It’s basically Frankenstein. You don’t need to feel bad about being confused, but you do need to take steps to make sure that you understand what’s going on before you act.
If The Other Party Is Lying
If you’ve been injured and there are other people involved and those people are lying, you need to take a step back and seek out a lawyer. Stop communicating with the other party; don’t respond to any attempts at speaking. Simply seek legal support. Without finding someone to protect you, give you actionable advice and analyze the strategies of the other people involved, you run the risk of walking into a trap or ending up in a seriously damaging situation. In all likelihood, evidence will need to be collected and analyzed, and presented to a deciding body. Legal professionals know how to go about getting the right kind of evidence to assist you in these kinds of situations. You’re going to want to stay off social media as well. Anything you post or interact with can be used against you in a legal proceeding.
If You Feel Like The Law Was Broken
If you feel like the law was broken at any point in connection with your injury, reach out to an attorney. Noticing the law being broken and not acting is something that can get you into trouble. Even if it doesn’t, it might get someone else into trouble later on. You don’t want to accidentally get mixed up in something illegal that is going to reveal itself later on, dragging you into yet another mess.
The above information should have outlined a few key scenarios in which legal support is necessary. Insurance companies and large corporations have the money and connections with doctors, lawyers, and other specialists to make the case that you’re not hurt or that it’s your own fault you’re hurt. If you’re facing a legal situation, you need someone on your side who can connect you with other doctors and specialists, who can advocate for you, and make sure that your rights and needs aren’t ignored. Yes, in the movies, people defend themselves against lawyers; in real life, it’s almost always a disaster.
