If you are considering a personal injury lawsuit, you probably have many questions. You might not be sure if a lawsuit is for you. You might feel uneasy because of the negativity surrounding the notion of suing someone. Perhaps you have a limited exposure to lawsuits and have only really seen them on television and the movies. We understand that you have questions and we are here to help
If your main exposure to lawsuits is what is portrayed in the television and movies, you should understand that what is shown in these shows is for entertainment purposes only and hardly ever mimics a true civil trial. Many times, witnesses are portrayed as timid and meek and are thereby harassed and thrashed around on the witness stand by some boorish and brash defense attorney’s cross-examination. Many times the witnesses end up melting on the witness stand as the attorney pompously makes his way back to the defense table. This is a work of fiction! If you are partly concerned about filing a lawsuit because of the intense interrogations shown on TV, you shouldn’t be. 99% of the questions asked on television and movies would be objected to in a real trial. Attorneys are not allowed to break down witnesses on the stand or yell at them. Your personal injury lawyer will be your legal advocate and will ensure that your experience through the legal system is as a drama-free as possible. You should never rely on what you see on the latest Law and Order episode. A real trial has much more law and order than portrayed on those episodes.
Perhaps another reason you are feeling apprehensive is because you are worried that filing a lawsuit against someone will make you appear mean-spirited and vengeful. We also understand this and would like to talk you through your fears. Specifically, we would love to explain that the civil justice system is not designed to “punish” defendants or to make them feel bad. It is meant simply to make the plaintiff whole again. It is meant to compensate him or her for the loss associated with the injury. It is explicable why many plaintiffs feel hesitant to file a lawsuit because many injured parties feel like they have gone through enough already and just want the entire experience to end. These feelings are certainly understandable, but you should still feel encouraged to seriously consider a personal injury lawsuit if you have been injured by someone else. You can start with a simple discussion with a personal injury lawyer about your options in a no-pressure setting. From there, you can decide whether to proceed if you so choose.
Fears surrounding the civil justice system are very understandable. Many people are intimidated by having to testify on the witness stand. However, if you have suffered an injury at the hands of another, considering a personal injury lawsuit is a great step in the right direction towards recovery.
