Hiring a personal injury lawyer can help you seek compensation for medical bills, lost income, pain and suffering, and other damages for injuries caused by an accident caused by someone else. As of 2023, there were 50,693 personal injury law firms in the US, so you have plenty to choose from. However, not all lawyer-client relationships are created equal. Some personal injury lawyers are too overworked to do justice to the case and others are just incompetent.
Here are 5 clear signs that it may be time to switch to a new personal injury attorney.
You Don’t Feel Comfortable with Your Lawyer
A good personal injury lawyer should make you feel comfortable discussing sensitive details about your accident, injuries, and how the event has impacted your life. If you dread interacting with your lawyer or feel like you can’t be open, it likely means your relationship is strained. Don’t ignore these instincts – an inability to communicate effectively can seriously harm your case.
Your Lawyer Isn’t Responsive
One major frustration clients have is when their personal injury lawyer takes days or even weeks to return calls and emails. Remember, you hired an attorney to have an advocate in your corner, not someone who leaves you hanging. Unresponsiveness shows a lack of respect for you as a client. If getting ahold of your lawyer feels like pulling teeth, find one who values open communication.
You Don’t Understand What’s Happening with Your Case
An experienced personal injury attorney should clearly explain important things like legal strategy, the claims process, and potential case outcomes – while less than 5% of cases go to trial, you still need to know if it’s possible with your case. If you feel confused about what’s going on or uninformed about important next steps, your lawyer isn’t keeping you adequately updated. Don’t stay in the dark – hire someone committed to transparency.
Your Lawyer Pressures You to Accept a Settlement
Settling is often in a plaintiff’s best interests, but it should always be your decision. The average settlement for a car accident where nobody was injured is $16,700, but the sum will be much higher if serious injuries are sustained. If your attorney pushes you to accept a settlement you aren’t comfortable with or think is unfair, they likely have motives misaligned with yours. The right personal injury lawyers from an experienced law firm empower you to make the choice that’s best for you.
You’ve Lost Trust in Your Attorney’s Abilities
Above all, your personal injury lawyer should instill confidence that they have the skills and drive to get you maximum compensation. Second-guessing their legal abilities or dedication to your case can erode your trust. If you’ve lost faith in your lawyer’s competence to get the best results possible, it’s smarter to cut ties sooner rather than later.
Just because you feel dissatisfied with your current personal injury attorney doesn’t mean you have to start over from scratch. Seek out recommendations from friends and family, read reviews, and thoughtfully vet other lawyers. Prioritize transparency, responsiveness, and mutual understanding in initial consultations with new attorneys.
Finding the right lawyer-client relationship makes a huge difference in the final outcome of your injury claim. Trust your gut – if it feels like time to switch, don’t hesitate to make a change for the better.
