So, you’re probably wondering why I’m even talking about a video game. After all, working as a notary is serious business and you wouldn’t be wrong in saying that it is a profession where errors are seriously frowned upon. Our experience in the profession varies, but the one thing that’s constant among all notaries is that there are professional standards that need to be met.

Some tasks are straightforward and simple, while others are more complex. Yet, no matter how simple the task may be, the smallest error can put others at risk. The game I’m referring to, called Papers, Please, offers is a similar — albeit virtual — experience.

First Off, What Exactly Is Papers, Please?

A recently released point and click game game, Papers, Please places the player in the shoes of a border inspector of a country called Arstotska. The player’s task is to screen each person who wants to enter the country and to try to adhere to standards set by the government. There are many other aspects of the game, but this is the aspect that I want to put a heavy emphasis on. In the game, making an error gets you a citation, and in the later stages an error means letting dangerous people through the border, which puts lives at risk. You essentially handle sensitive data, check it for accuracy and truthfulness, and decide whether you’d allow the person into the country or not.

It’s quite similar to how we check statements and decide if the facts hold up. In fact, most, if not all court proceedings rely heavily on notarized documents, especially during personal injury cases, according to the lawyers at tariolaw.com.

Why Should We Care About This Game?

Well, that’s where the error is. You assume that this is about the game. It’s not. What really struck me was how the tasks got more and more complicated as the game progressed. You have to assess various pieces of information and decide whether to stamp a traveller’s passport, allowing them access through the border.

This puts an air of risk in the game, even when all the player does is to look through papers and counter-check facts presented by a traveller. And the way that the travelers interact with the player in an attempt to appeal to the player’s kinder nature forces you to make hard decisions.

How Is It Related To The Profession?

It reminded me a lot of how we, as public notaries, are the front line of defense against any attempts to commit fraud. In the same way that the inspector in Papers, Please is the first line of defense against people who would do the country harm, we are the first line of defense against people who want to put falsehoods onto paper or when they try to twist the truth in their favor.

And it’s rather funny that I was unexpectedly reminded of this duty by a video game that I happened to stumble across whilst browsing my YouTube feed in my free time!

I mean, whether you’ve had 30 years of experience in the profession or you’re a rookie who’s learning the ropes, it can be draining to do the same thing over and over if you forget your purpose. I’ll say it again, ours is a profession that can’t have any mistakes, whether they’re big mistakes or common mistakes — we are all about accuracy and precision. And sometimes it can be quite draining, but always remember that the seal that we stamp has power and authority. People are depending on us to verify facts and to educate them on what they’re getting into by signing a document.

If you have been injured in a motor vehicle accident, then searching for a car accident lawyer is your top priority. They will help you deal with your claim and ensure that you get the best possible settlement when it comes to damages.

However, your lawyer, and the law firm they are associated with, cannot do anything related to your case without a notary doing their job.

In today’s article, we will talk about the role and importance of notaries after a motor vehicle accident.

Notarized Documents
As mentioned above, your car accident lawyer cannot start working on your case if the documents related to it are not first handled by a notary. This is because the court that will be judging your case will not accept any documents that haven’t been properly notarized.

Law firms usually have an employee that holds a notary license, making them capable of quickly notarizing the documents that are needed on a case that of their lawyers is working on.

However, some firms work with either freelancers or third-party notary services as well.

Failure to Notarize Documents
Before filing a personal injury claim, you must make sure that any of the documents that may be needed in court are properly notarized. If you fail to notarize some of those documents, you will lose both time and money.
Why?

Well, even if one single document is not notarized, you will have to file the entire case again. Moreover, depending on the state you live in and its jurisdiction, your case may end up being thrown out due to paperwork technicalities.
In short, it may take a very long time before you reach any settlement, simply because you or your law firm has failed to notarize a single document.

The Importance of Notaries and Notarized Documents
Given that you have just been injured in a motor vehicle accident, you won’t be keen on walking to a notary and getting your documents notarized. Therefore, you should always rely on a personal injury lawyer, as well as on a notary or two, to complete this process for you.

Moreover, keep in mind that you can get your documents notarized online as well, depending on the state you live in.

As you will have to deal with medical expenses and other bills caused by the accident, it is important that you do everything right and on time, to make sure that you don’t waste a single second, and that you will receive your compensation as quickly as possible.

Concluding Remarks
In short, notaries and notarized documents are vital for the filing of a motor vehicle accident claim. You, your lawyer, as well as the court, won’t be able to do anything with your case if you fail to present them with properly notarized documents.

Still, if you choose to work with a professional lawyer and their law firm, they will most likely deal with this aspect of your claim so that you can focus on treating your injuries.

While a notary is essential for a motor vehicle accident, it is better to focus on working with the right car accident lawyer!