Suffering an injury in an accident can be incredibly stressful. You may be in pain and unable to work, yet you’re dealing with mounting medical bills. Hiring a lawyer is supposed to make things easier, but what should you do if you feel as though your lawyer is not meeting your needs?
While many issues can be resolved by communicating your concerns, sometimes, a legal relationship simply isn’t the right fit. In those cases, the wrong representation may actually harm your personal injury case.
Knowing when to consider finding new representation is essential. Here are five common scenarios that might mean it’s time to find a different personal injury attorney.
1. There’s a Lack of Communication
Does trying to communicate with your lawyer feel like a hardship? You deserve to know what is happening with your case and should be able to easily call or email your attorney with questions or concerns, especially when your recovery is at stake.
If weeks turn into months with no meaningful updates, or if reasonable questions consistently go unanswered, it can be both inconvenient and worrying. A lawyer who cannot devote the time to answer your questions may also be unable to allocate enough hours to working on your case.
2. You Feel Like a Number
Your personal injury lawyer should be your champion — someone who knows the ins and outs of what happened to you and the legal burden you’re up against. Are they getting the facts right, or do they consistently fumble basic details of your case? Are deadlines getting dangerously close, or worse, missed?
A good attorney is engaged and prepared, and they should make you feel like your case and its outcome genuinely matter to them.
3. You’re Not Being Heard
You hire a lawyer for their skill and experience. That doesn’t mean, however, that your point of view shouldn’t be important to the process.
Major disagreements can stall your case. Perhaps your lawyer is pressuring you to take a settlement that seems too low or is adamant about going to trial when you would rather settle. Either way, the way your case proceeds should ultimately fall to you.
If your needs are going ignored, finding an attorney who works to personalize their strategy based on your preferences could be the best course of action.
4. You’re Noticing Ethical Red Flags
Lawyers are beholden to strict professional and ethical codes. If you see signs that your attorney is disregarding them, this could be a red flag that you need a different advocate.
This could look like mishandling your settlement money or representing someone else whose interests conflict with yours, without following proper procedure. Such behavior isn’t just a reason to switch — it also might be grounds for reporting an attorney to the state bar, so keep that in mind.
5. You Don’t Connect With Your Attorney
Trust your instincts. Sometimes, there isn’t a particular reason you don’t connect with your attorney. You may simply have differing personalities or communication styles, for instance. If you’re struggling to connect with your attorney, it could be a good idea to seek representation elsewhere.
It’s important to feel comfortable speaking with your lawyer. A lack of attorney-client trust can weaken your rapport and, ultimately, your case.
The Importance of Finding the Right Advocate
Switching lawyers in the middle of a claim can be daunting. There are logistics involved: you’ll need to inform your current lawyer, settle any fees owed based on your agreement, and get your files transferred. But if your lawyer is not the right fit for you, seeking representation elsewhere can be worth it to help ensure that both you and your case are in the right hands.