A personal injury attorney is a lawyer who represents people who have been injured, physically or psychologically, as a result of the negligence or wrongdoing of another person, company, government agency, or other entity.
Personal Injury Attorney job duties include:
- Meeting with clients to discuss their case
- Investigating the facts of the case
- Researching applicable laws
- Drafting pleadings and motions
- Depositions of witnesses
- Court appearances
- Negotiating settlements
- Trying cases before a jury
- Giving closing arguments
Personal Injury Attorney Job Requirements
A personal injury attorney must have a law degree from an accredited law school and must pass the state bar exam. Many states also require attorneys to complete a professional ethics exam. Attorneys must also complete continuing legal education (CLE) courses on a regular basis to maintain their license. Personal injury attorneys typically have experience in a specific area of law, such as medical malpractice or product liability.
Personal Injury Attorney Skills
- Negotiation
- Persuasion
- Communication
- Research
- Writing
- Analysis
- Investigation
- Public Speaking
- Critical Thinking
- Problem Solving
- Creativity
Related: Top Personal Injury Attorney Skills: Definition and Examples
How to become a Personal Injury Attorney
There are many reasons why someone may want to become a personal injury attorney. Maybe you have been the victim of a personal injury yourself and you want to help others who have been through similar experiences. Or maybe you have always been interested in the law and you want to use your skills to help those who have been wrongfully injured. Whatever your reasons, if you are thinking about becoming a personal injury attorney, there are some things you should know.
The first step is to get a law degree. You can do this by attending an accredited law school and completing your studies. Once you have your law degree, you will need to pass the bar exam in order to be licensed to practice law. Once you are licensed, you can start working as a personal injury attorney.
Most personal injury attorneys work on a contingency basis, which means they only get paid if they win their case. This can be a very risky way to make a living, but it can also be very rewarding if you are successful. If you win your case, you will receive a percentage of the settlement or jury verdict that is awarded to your client.
To be successful as a personal injury attorney, you need to be very knowledgeable about the law and have excellent communication and negotiation skills. You must also be able to work long hours and handle a large caseload. If you have these qualities and are passionate about helping others, then becoming a personal injury attorney may be the right career choice for you.
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Related: Personal Injury Attorney Interview Questions (With Example Answers)