Personal Injury Lawyer
Most people will go their whole lives without ever being involved in a court case. It is natural not to want to go to court if you find yourself wrapped up in a lawsuit, regardless of which side you are on. You may be wondering if it would be useful to hire an attorney to help avoid going to court. It may seem a bit counterintuitive, but hiring legal representation really can help you avoid court altogether.
If You Are the Defendant
The defendant is the party who is sued by another person or accused of a crime. Unfortunately, if you are the defendant in a criminal case, there is no way to avoid going to court. In this situation, it is absolutely essential that you have a lawyer. If you are the defendant in a civic case, however, you have one option to avoid going to court: settlement.
If you make the plaintiff a settlement offer and he or she accepts it, then there is no need to go to court. This may sound simple enough, but the problem is that you have no control over whether or not the plaintiff accepts your offer. An attorney will be able to advise you on what a good offer is to increase your chances of having it accepted. On top of that, your attorney will help you make an offer that minimizes how much you have to pay. Even if avoiding court is your top priority, it does not mean you have to pay an unreasonable amount.
If You Are the Plaintiff
Even if you are the plaintiff in your situation, you may be conflicted on whether or not you really want to go to court. You may feel pressured to file a lawsuit in order to receive compensation for your losses, but still not want to deal with the hassle of court. In this situation, it is still in your best interest to speak with an attorney. A legal professional will be able to help you explore your alternatives. Chances are that your only option that avoids court entirely is to accept a settlement offer, but an attorney can expedite that process. An attorney also might be able to set things up to minimize the time spent in court, making for a faster trial. Remember, the vast majority of civil court cases end in settlement anyway, so there is no shame in accepting an offer.
If you want to have the best chance possible, always take the time to hire a motorcyclist, car or Truck Collision Lawyer residents rely on about your case for an evaluation.
Thank you to our friends and contributors at JOHNSTON | MARTINEAU, PLLP for their insight into accidents.