Looking at law school takes dedication and determination. There are many different fields of law to go into, with one of the most common being personal injury law. To decide if it is the right field for you, you will want to know a little more about it.

What Exactly is a Personal Injury Lawyer?

A personal injury lawyer is the person who looks at a case where a person has been injured through no fault of their own, and helps them seek justice. It is important that a lawyer be able to investigate the claim and determine quickly whether there is a case or not. This will involve gathering evidence and interviewing a variety of people. Very few cases will actually end up in court, but you will need to be prepared for a trial if a settlement cannot be reached. Finally, personal injury law is a vast field, so it may be best if you determine a niche to specialize in, such as malpractice or workplace accidents.

Education Needed

In order to become a personal injury lawyer, you will need to be prepared to put in a lot of time at school. Most programs require three to four years of undergraduate work in a pre-law program, and then acceptance into an accredited law school. The law school must be accredited by the American Bar Association. Graduating and getting a degree will not allow you to practice, however, as you will need to pass the written bar exam for whichever state you plan to practice in.

What Skills Make a Better Lawyer?

It is often said that if a person is good at being persuasive, they will make a good lawyer. There are, in fact, a few skills that a person must possess (or develop) to be a better lawyer. You must be good at communication, both oral and written. You will be doing a lot of both as a lawyer, so you need to make sure that you are able to organize your thoughts and convey them in a persuasive manner. You must also be able to reason and analyze a large amount of information in a manner that is effective. Finally, you must be able to work well with others. Sometimes you will be working on a case with a team of lawyers, but even if you are on your own, you will need to be able to work with law enforcement, mediators, and medical personnel.

Employment Outlook

The future for lawyers still looks good, even with the fluctuating economy. More people are turning to lawyers for help with the reforms and regulation changes that may make it confusing for them to determine on their own if a claim should be filed. However, with caps on the damages, you may find more cases that are settled out of court or determined it will not be worth the effort.

Becoming a lawyer is an industry that will take several years and determination to make it through, especially to pass the bar exam. It is often worth it, as the salary for lawyers can range up to six digits depending on the specialty.

To learn more, contact a law firm like Owen Law Firm. 

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