The Top 5 Reasons To Switch Personal Injury Lawyers

Having a lawyer you can depend on and trust is an important factor in your legal success. So what happens when your Spidey senses tell you your lawyer isn’t the right person for the job? Can you change lawyers in the middle of a personal injury case? And how can you tell when it’s the right time to make such a significant change?

Let’s go over some of the main reasons why changing lawyers may be in your best interest.

5 Reasons to Switch Personal Injury Attorneys

1. You Don’t Get Along with Your Attorney

Sometimes it’s okay to have disagreements with your lawyer, but if those disagreements turn toxic or reach a boiling point, it’s time to consider seeking a different legal council. While you don’t need to be best friends with your attorney, you should still be able to have a productive conversation where both parties actively take each other’s viewpoints into account. If not, then it’s probably time to bounce.

2. They Aren’t Answering Your Questions or Explaining the Case Process

Personal injury suits can be complex, and it’s important to have a lawyer willing to walk you through the legal process, especially if it is your first lawsuit. Your lawyer should be ready to answer any questions, calls, or concerns you have and treat you with the basic respect they would give an esteemed colleague. If they cannot afford you the attention you deserve, it’s time to look elsewhere. 

3. Your Lawyer is Difficult to Reach

While you can expect that your lawyer will be busy, they should still respond to your phone calls and emails in a timely fashion. If you’ve experienced multiple failed attempts to reach your attorney or extremely long delays in their communication, it’s likely time to find an attorney who will be more attentive to your questions and concerns.

4. You Disagree with Your Lawyer’s Strategy

You may not see eye-to-eye with your lawyer about their legal strategy or how they are handling your case. Oftentimes, it’s important to trust that your lawyer is experienced and knows the best way to handle it.

However, there are definitely times you should trust your gut. If you think your lawyer is mishandling your case and you just can’t see eye to eye, it may be time to find another lawyer—especially if they are pursuing a strategy you disagree with. 

5. Your Attorney is in a Hurry to Settle Your Case

If your attorney seems like they’re in a rush to accept the insurance company’s first offer of settlement, it’s a sign that they may be looking for a quick out to your case. Most of the time, the insurance company’s first settlement offer is lower than the amount you should be compensated for.

A good attorney will seek to negotiate the best deal possible for their client and even take it to trial when necessary. So take it as a red flag if they leap too quickly at the chance to accept the first settlement offer.

Obstacles You May Encounter When Switching Attorneys

If you do decide that it’s in your best interest to switch lawyers, then it’s essential to understand a few issues you may encounter, including:

• It may take extra time and money to allow a new lawyer to catch up to the case
• You will still have to provide payment for the services of your previous lawyer
• There may be time constraints for filing your claim, so make sure you won’t violate any deadlines

While switching lawyers may create additional obstacles to your case, so long as you are aware of the potential issues, the pros of hiring new counsel may still be worth it. 

Conclusion

If your gut instinct tells you that your attorney isn’t the right fit, it’s a warning sign you should likely heed. One of the most critical aspects of maximizing your legal settlement is having a lawyer who is willing to fight tooth and nail for your cause.

If you don’t feel that you and your attorney are on the same page, then it may be time to evaluate whether or not the pros of hiring a new lawyer outweigh the cons.