A personal injury attorney helps clients with claims regarding injuries they sustain due to the negligence of others. These claims can include direct injuries from assault and battery, automobile accidents, defective or malfunctioning products, negligent conditions on someone else’s property (such as slipping and falling), slander, libel and defamation, or medical malpractice.
Basic knowledge of human anatomy, standard medical terms, and even physics can be helpful to a personal injury attorney. They will frequently have to collaborate with, and take depositions from, medical professionals or reconstruct the details of an accident that caused an injury. Knowledge of insurance and liability laws relating to the attorney’s area of specialization is also critical. Skills common to most attorney positions — such as written and verbal communication, research, and negotiation — are crucial for a personal injury attorney.
Sample job description #1
Job description
- Meet with clients, and be involved form the initial consultation to conclusion of the case
- Draft demands, complaints, motions, and discovery requests
- Attend court proceedings, depositions, and client intakes/interviews as necessary
- Review medical records, accident reports, police reports, and other associated case information
- Researching and drafting various legal documents
- General case management and oversight
- Organizing and maintaining cases and documents
- Overseeing and monitoring important case developments and dates
- Preparing client, insurance company, and court correspondence
- Keeping clients informed on the status of their case and assisting in management of client expectations
Who we are
- Team Oriented
- Result Oriented
- Innovative and dynamic
- Diverse and open minded
Who we are looking for
- Relevant Courtroom experience
- 2+ years experience with personal injury
- In-depth knowledge of civil procedure and torts
- Detail oriented and organized
- Able to work as part of a team
- Strong verbal and written interpersonal skills
- Good research organization, and problem solving skills
- Multilingual a plus, but not required. (Spanish/Portuguese)
Sample job description #2
Company ABC is looking for an experienced Personal Injury Attorney to join its growing practice. The Personal Injury Attorney will handle a heavy and complex case-load of cases in litigation. Including, but not limited to trial prep and trial.
Responsibilities
- Day-to-day handling of litigation cases
- Drafting and filing of litigation documents to include pleadings, discovery requests, discovery responses, demands, motions, and memorandum
- Guide clients through the case process
- Interaction with expert witnesses to include conferences, drafting of expert reports, and affidavits
- Attendance and preparation for depositions, mediations, hearings, and court appearances
Qualification
- Law degree from a fully accredited law school
- An active member in good standing with the State Bar Association
- Minimum 3+ years of personal injury experience
- Ability to manage high volume of pre-lit and litigation cases
- Excellent client service and communication skills
- Self-starter driven by long-term career goals
- Superior writing and oral advocacy skills
Sample job description #3
In this role, you will focus on providing aggressive, effective, ethical representation to each individual client. You will be handling a large caseload. Therefore, the ideal candidate must have strong communication and negotiation skills as well as being solution oriented. You must also be able to stay focused and organized as well as meet deadlines. We are willing to train you to become the best attorney you can be.
Duties and responsibilities
The Personal Injury Attorney will have the responsibility of managing a large caseload that will predominantly consist of pre-suit auto accident cases. Responsibilities therefore include, but are not limited to, the following:
- Providing legal support and guidance to clients
- Finding ethical solutions to legal matters
- Negotiating settlements with insurance carriers
- Covering PIP recorded statements and PIP Examinations Under Oath
- Otherwise handling case management from inception to completion
- Staying informed about any current legislation and case law
- Building trustworthy relationships with clients
- Marketing firm services in the community and as otherwise required.
Qualification and experience
- Outstanding academic credentials
- Minimum of 1 year of experience as an attorney handling personal injury cases or, alternatively, minimum of 2 years of experience as a prosecutor or public defender
- Self-starter driven by long-term career goals
- Superior oral and written advocacy skills
- Team oriented
Average salary and compensation
The average salary for a personal injury attorney is $102,100 in the United States. Position salary will vary based on experience, education, company size, industry, and market.
| Location | Salary Low | Salary High |
|---|---|---|
| Phoenix, Arizona | $101,500 | $137,350 |
| Los Angeles, California | $114,550 | $154,950 |
| Denver, Colorado | $95,450 | $129,150 |
| Washington, DC | $116,200 | $157,300 |
| Miami, Florida | $95,000 | $128,550 |
| Orlando, Florida | $87,650 | $118,550 |
| Tampa, Florida | $88,500 | $119,750 |
| Atlanta, Georgia | $92,850 | $125,600 |
| Chicago, Illinois | $106,700 | $144,400 |
| Boston, Massachusetts | $115,400 | $156,150 |
| Minneapolis-St. Paul, Minnesota | $91,950 | $124,450 |
| New York City, New York | $121,450 | $164,350 |
| Philadelphia, Pennsylvania | $98,900 | $133,850 |
| Dallas, Texas | $96,300 | $130,300 |
| Houston, Texas | $95,850 | $129,700 |
| Seattle, Washington | $111,050 | $150,250 |
| National Average | $86,750 | $117,400 |
Sample interview questions
- What is the most important quality of a personal injury attorney in your opinion?
- What made you choose a career in personal injury law?
- How do you stay up to date on current trends in personal injury law?
- How do you handle cases that don’t go according to plan?
- How do you deliver difficult news to a client?
- What are your strengths and weaknesses?
- Why did you decide to become a personal injury attorney?
- What is the most successful case you have worked on as a personal injury attorney?
- How do you stay current on local, state, and federal personal injury laws and regulations?
- What is the most difficult case you have worked on? Why?
- What types of personal injury claims do you specialize in?
- How do you ensure that your client receives the best personal and professional care?
- Which skills make you a good personal injury attorney?
- Where do you see yourself in 5 years? In 10?
- What is the most difficult part of being a personal injury attorney?
- How well do you work under pressure?
- What steps do you take to prepare for a difficult case?
- Can you describe a time when you made a mistake when handling a case? What did you learn from it?
- What is your record of cases won/lost in court?
- How would you prioritize your work when working on multiple cases?
