Civil Rights
What are Civil Rights?
The most fundamental rights that citizens have to enjoy political and social equality and freedom are known as civil rights. It includes the freedom from discrimination and persecution based on a variety of protected attributes, such as race, religion, sexual orientation, and disability, among others.
In the United States, the most basic civil rights are guaranteed to every citizen. These rights derive from the United States Constitution.
It is important not to confuse civil liberties, which are a much broader concept, with civil rights. The right to vote, access to the judicial system, access to government services and facilities, the right to use public facilities, and the right to receive a public education are some of the most well-known examples of civil liberties.
Although these ideas belong to separate categories, in practice, they frequently overlap. For instance, if you try to exercise your right to the court system but someone tries to stop you because of a particular attribute, that kind of action is illegal and may come with civil fines, penalties, and other types of consequences.
Where Do Civil Rights Come From?
Civil rights, unlike civil liberties, are not derived solely from the constitution or fundamental principles of citizenship. Instead, they are the result of federal and state legislation. The following federal laws address civil rights:
- Age: Age Discrimination Act of 1975 and Age Discrimination in Employment Act (ADEA)
- Voting: Voting Rights Act of 1973
- Disability: Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)
- Disability in Education: Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973
Additionally, the Civil Rights Act of 1964 targets a wide range of protected characteristics, such as the following:
- Race
- Sex
- Color
- National Origin
- Religion
The Fair Housing Act ensures that individuals searching for housing anywhere in the United States are afforded many of the same safeguards as those described above.
When It Comes to Cases Involving Personal Injuries, Why Are Civil Rights So Important?
Your capacity to take a matter to a jury consisting of your peers is one of the essential civil rights and liberties that pertain to personal injury lawsuits.
You will be able to present your case to a panel that is comprised of individuals who reside in your community. This panel will then decide whether or not someone else is at fault, and if they are, how much they should have to pay in damages if they are found to be at fault.
That legal right should be granted to you regardless of factors such as your gender, color, religion, and so on.
You have the legal right to take a matter to trial if there is some validity to the claim you are making, despite the fact that insurance companies might make an effort to minimize this statutory right.
Contact a Personal Injury Attorney to Protect Your Legal Rights
If you are the victim of an accident, do not hesitate to contact an experienced lawyer for legal counsel.
When someone else is to blame for the injuries and damages that you sustained, it’s always in your best interest to hire an attorney to handle your case. Your attorney will work diligently to make sure you’re not taken advantage of and to make sure your legal and civil rights are protected.
Contact our law office to schedule a free consultation and find out how we can best assist with your accident injury case.
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