Applying for Jobs with a Criminal Record: Know Your Rights
Three Ways An Attorney Helps After You've Been In A Car Accident
Michelle Garrett
When you're in a serious car accident, it can leave your mind in a whirl. You might be stressed out over your injuries, missing work, or the loss of your car. Being under stress and not knowing what to do can cause you to make bad decisions that could haunt you later on. This is why it's often a good idea to talk to a car accident attorney when you've been in an accident that causes injury or significant loss of income. Here's why.
Help Estimating The Cost Of Your Recovery
Injuries from a car accident might be the first time you've been hospitalized or gone through a recovery process. You probably have no idea what to expect. Your insurance company can estimate your expenses, but they are inclined to pay as little as they can get by with. A car accident attorney understands how the cost of your care mounts when you're hospitalized and go through a long recovery process.
You might need months of recovery or you may never return to normal function. An attorney consults with medical professionals to get a clearer picture of your injuries and what to expect. Impartial medical professionals can assess your condition and help your attorney understand what you face financially when it comes to supplies, medications, and treatments you'll need for the long term.
Help Getting Compensation For Lost Work
If you suddenly stop getting paychecks because of your accident, that only compounds your problems. If your injuries are severe enough, you might qualify for disability payments, but those don't start right away. You may need to go through a long qualification process that leaves you with no source of income while you wait. If you can't work because of your accident, it is worth talking to an attorney before you accept a settlement from an insurance company. Make sure the amount you receive is enough to compensate you for the loss of your livelihood.
Help With The Compensation Process
When you're feeling overwhelmed, you may be incapable of making decisions. You may not trust the insurance company and you don't know where to turn. This is one of the most important reasons to talk to an attorney. An attorney works for you and always has your best interests in mind. You can have peace of mind that your affairs are handled properly when the last thing you can think about is financial matters due to your injuries.
An attorney can come to your hospital room if necessary, and the sooner you call for help, the better. Your attorney needs details while they are fresh in your mind in addition to documentation such as photos, police records, and witness statements which might be easier to obtain soon after the accident.
Share
I'll be up front: I have a criminal record. As someone who's spent lots--and lots--of time looking for a job in my life, I've gotten used to being up front with this fact. It's difficult to get hired with this on my record, and frankly, it never gets less scary to have to tell an interviewer about it. But that doesn't mean I'm unemployable. I'm a hard worker who can bring a lot to any company. And I also know what an employer needs to do for me. I know my rights. There's no federal law protecting me from discrimination due to my record, but there are plenty of state laws that make it a little easier for me. If you're looking for a job and you have a criminal record, read through this information. Protect yourself during a job search. Know your rights.