Becoming a legal professional, who has access to power, position and the ability to handle law is one of the dreams of several people. Getting a degree in law and pursuing a legal career involves several procedures as well as years of hard work and determination. A lawyer is responsible for upholding law and legal rights of their clients. There are corporate lawyers, family lawyers, labour lawyers, environmental lawyers, business lawyers, criminal defense lawyers, tax lawyers etc., who serve various purposes.
Who is a Car Accident Lawyer?
A car accident lawyer is one such specialization within the legal career where the lawyer deals with clients who are victims of accidents. They represent those individuals who have been involved in car accidents and appear for those people who have suffered injuries or damages as a result of the accident. Therefore, a car accident lawyer knows in detail all the various aspects of the cases regarding the injury and damages caused by accidents. They study the situation carefully and provide legal assistance to the clients. The main aim of the car accident lawyer is to assist the client in getting financial compensation in order to tackle various expenses caused by the accident such as vehicle repair, medical bills, lost wages etc. It is the lawyer’s duty to discuss, guide and inform the clients the entire claim process.
- The lawyer has to deal with collecting all the major and required information and evidence regarding the accident that supports the client.
- The lawyer has to clearly review the insurance policy of the client to know the nature and details of the claim and the coverage it provides. Reviewing and understanding the insurance policy helps the lawyer analyze the terms, conditions, limitations and possibilities that can help in providing legal assistance to the clients.
- Collecting information from the witnesses, carefully examining the spot where the accident occurred, and gathering other evidence etc. are done by the car accident attorney to support and guide the client in the case.
- Initiating an insurance claim is another important step. The attorney should connect with the health insurance provider to discuss and establish the payment methods for treatment and should contact the insurance company of the person/party responsible.
- Negotiation is another important aspect. Insurance adjusters often try to settle the issue for a small amount. The car accident lawyer is responsible to advise and guide the client in determining the compensation amount.
According to a survey conducted by the American Bar Association (ABA), the average salary of a car accident attorney is around $237,000 in the year 2017. The salary of the attorney can vary depending on factors such as the experience of the lawyer, the review of the clients, location, the law firm for which the attorneys work etc. Having discussed the major function of a car accident lawyer, now let us discuss how to become a car accident lawyer in the USA.
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How to Become a Car-Accident Lawyer?
The first step is to become academically qualified in order to become a professional car accident lawyer. Getting a bachelor’s degree from any accredited university. There is no specific field of study and the aspirants can choose any field. However, opting for courses in Criminal Science, Political Science or Psychology can be more beneficial. Securing a better score is what really matters in order to step into further procedures.
After obtaining the degree, the next step is to attend the LSAT(Law School Admission Test), which, as the name suggests, tests the abilities and various skills of the students such as critical thinking skills, analytical and logical reasoning skills etc.
After clearing the LSAT with a good score, the aspirants must apply and attend law school, which is accredited by the American Bar Association (ABA). During the three-year journey in the law school, the students will acquire all the major skills that are required in order to pursue a legal career.
Obtain a Juris Doctor (JD) Degree, from where the students gain practical experience in their career. Students who wish to become a car accident lawyer can choose their specialization in personal injury law.
Passing the Bar Examination with a good score is the next important milestone. The Bar Examination will make the aspirants a professional lawyer. Take major steps in order to obtain the official license that helps one to officially become a lawyer.
As we say ‘practice makes man perfect’, the next step is to attend and practice real cases that develop one’s skills and expertise in becoming a personal injury lawyer. Gaining experience is the most important step that helps one build a successful career in the legal field. Collecting valuable information and seeking advice from experts in the field can be of utmost help.
More than anything, a sincere interest and a passion for the profession is what really matters. Becoming and being a lawyer is a great responsibility that involves a deep commitment, connection and dedication to the profession.