There are times when someone has been wronged or someone in fact finds themselves on the wrong side of the law and a criminal defense or personal injury lawyer is needed to either defend of persecute the party in question. No one hopes to find themselves in this kind of a situation, but every week thousands of Americans are in the wrong place at the wrong time. Knowing your legal rights and when they have been violated is the best factor for determining whether or not you need legal consultation.

Personal Injury

The National Center for Health Statistics found that over 31 million injuries requiring a doctor’s care occur every year in the United States. Of the 26,948 tort trials in 2005, nearly 60% were personal injury lawsuits. Attorneys generally say that only four or five percent of personal injury lawsuits actually go to court with the majority settling outside of trial.

Medical Malpractice and Product Lawsuits

There is nothing worse than being lied to, especially if a product or doctor misleads consumers and patients. The Institute of Medicine reports that 100,000 fatalities every year are due to medical errors. Up to 97% of medical malpractice claims are due to an injury the patient suffered while seeking treatment from a doctor. If you or someone you know is a victim of medical malpractice or a defective product, you are advised to seek legal representation as you may be entitled for significant financial compensation in such cases.

Traffic Offenses

Every year in the United States there are 5.5 million car accidents that result in over three million injuries and 40,000 deaths. From minor offenses like running lights and speeding to vehicular manslaughter and drunk driving: police officers are looking for potential dangers on the road. Those who have been injured in a vehicular accident ought to seek out legal aid, while those who stand accused of a DUI or similar offense can hire a criminal defense lawyer to appeal for a lighter sentence.