Most people hope they will never need the services of an attorney, but odds are you will at some point. There are a number of reasons why you might need the services of a lawyer, whether it’s for a criminal matter or a civil one.
Accidents are one of the top reasons people wind up needing a lawyer. There are more than 2.3 million people injured in auto accidents every year, and about 37,000 of those people wind up dying. Not all auto accidents involve negligence, but many of them do. If you are injured in an accident, there are a number of reasons why you may need a car accident attorney. The other driver’s insurance company may not be willing to pay all of your expenses. Your insurance company may not be willing to pay its share. Or perhaps the other driver was doing something that helped cause the accident, such as drinking or texting. Having an attorney on your side means your interests are protected.
Accidents and negligence don’t just occur on the roads. There are plenty of incidents that happen at home, near your home or at work. For example, consider dog bites. In the U.S., there are about 4.5 million dog bites each year, and about 75,000 of those lead to the need for medical treatment. Many dog bites are the result of owner negligence — letting a dog escape, failing to keep it on a leash — and in such cases, an attorney can help make sure you get reimbursed for any medical or other expenses you occur. Other home and work accidents can include slipping on wet or icy surfaces or being injured by a faulty appliance or faulty machinery. If you were injured due to the negligence of a homeowner or employer, it’s a good idea to get an attorney, even if there is insurance to cover your costs.
An emerging field of negligence is elder abuse. Things such as nursing home neglect or financial fraud can have devastating effects on seniors. Nursing home abuse or nursing home neglect can harm the health of seniors and even lead to premature death, while financial fraud can leave the elderly without needed funds to live out their lives. If either of these things occurs to an elderly parent or relative, you need to engage the services of an attorney to make things right.