What Is a Personal Injury Lawyer?

A personal injury lawyer specializes in civil claims where a person has been physically or psychologically harmed due to another party’s negligence, intentional act, or strict liability. Common cases include car accidents, slip and falls, medical malpractice, product defects, and workplace injuries.

These attorneys work on a contingency fee basis, meaning they only get paid if the client receives compensation. This model makes legal help accessible to people who might not otherwise afford a lawyer, while aligning the lawyer’s incentives with the client’s outcome.

In the United States, the personal injury legal market is valued at over $60 billion in 2025, with steady growth driven by rising injury rates and increasing insurance claim values. Industry reports show that personal injury and product liability filings have surged in recent years, partly due to mass tort litigation and higher medical costs.

Firms are adapting by investing in technology, marketing, and specialized practice areas. Many now focus on niche areas like trucking accidents, rideshare injuries, or defective medical devices, while also using data analytics to benchmark settlement values and improve case outcomes.

Global Demand for Personal Injury Lawyers

While the US has the most developed personal injury market, demand for personal injury lawyers is growing in other countries as well. In places like Turkey, the UK, Canada, and Australia, injured individuals increasingly seek legal help after accidents, workplace incidents, and medical errors.

International law directories and local legal platforms show rising numbers of personal injury specialists in major cities, including Istanbul, London, Toronto, and Sydney. As legal systems evolve and public awareness increases, personal injury law is becoming a more prominent and accessible field worldwide.