In many court systems around the country, one basic difference between civil law and criminal law is the punishment the offender receives after he is declared guilty. When it comes to criminal law, the defendant is usually punished by paying a certain amount to the victim and spending time in jail. On the other hand, those who are tried and found guilty of civil law only have to pay a certain monetary amount but never spend time behind bars.
The reason for this is that those who offend against civil law are not thought of as having committed an actual crime. They are usually guilty of direct or indirect negligence, which is not an infringement of the law. For example, if a person momentarily takes his eyes off the road and that causes an accident, especially if someone is hurt, that person may be guilty in a civil law court. This is not an actual crime, but the party who is hurt by the accident may file a law suit. In other cases, such as a person falling on steps of a home which is in disrepair, a case may also be filed against the homeowner for indirect negligence.
For example, if a person was hurt because of the negligence of another while driving, that person may file a law suit on the grounds of physical and emotional injury as well as loss of finances. The offender usually pays a sum which is agreed on by both to cover medical expenses and the loss of wages. However, proving negligence can be difficult, and it is a good idea to contact a car accident lawyer and discuss the options available.
With the help of an experienced personal injury lawyer, a case may not even make it to court. This is because attorneys may help the plaintiff and the respondent settle on an agreement that pleases them both. However, without any legal help, both parties can argue and refuse to settle, ensuing in a lengthy and expensive court battle.
It is important to get legal help whenever there is a problem with settlement. This will save a lot of time and money that would have been lost if the case were to proceed to court. It is important to keep in mind this simple guideline and, before actually filing a suit in court, to get the advice of an experienced personal injury attorney. Read more about these attorneys at http://www.huffingtonpost.com/tag/personal-injury-lawyers/.