Not Happy With Your Personal Injury Attorney? Here's What You Can Do
Michael Babboni
Personal Injury
So you have recently been involved in an accident that resulted in personal injury and other types of damage. You wanted to file a claim right away to help pay for your medical expenses and all other accident-related costs. However, you rushed into finding a personal injury attorney without taking the time to research them properly beforehand.Now, you are unhappy with the attorney and unsure about the entire process. What can you do to remedy the situation? Read on to find out.
Change Attorneys
You have the right to change attorneys at any time. If you aren't happy with what your current personal attorney is doing, then you can find someone who you feel would be a better fit. Call it a second legal opinion.
Keep in mind, though, that changing attorneys could slow down the process, and you may still owe the original attorney money for what they have done for you so far. That’s why you will want to resolve as many issues as possible with your current attorney before you decide to work with a different one.
Common Issues
Some of the more common issues as to why people aren't happy with their personal injury attorney are the attorney’s failure to return calls right away, poor communication, and poor handling of the case. If the attorney doesn’t take the time to fully communicate everything with you, then they may not be the best person to represent you.
If those are problems you are dealing with right now, then there are a few steps you can take:
• Talk With Them: First, you can try to discuss all of your concerns with your personal injury attorney. Tell them what has been bothering you, what you aren't happy with, and what you would like to see if you decide to move forward. Keep all your expectations realistic.
• Allow Them To Improve: Once you have conversed with them, give them some time to show improvement. However, you should keep in mind that there may be no signs of improvement moving forward, either, and that you only have so much time left to file your claim.
• Ask For A Second Opinion: If there is no improvement and significant changes are not made, it is time to seek a second opinion. Call other personal injury attorneys, tell them about your case, and see what they may do differently to help you.
Serious Consideration
Switching attorneys is something you need to think about carefully, especially if past obligations have not been met. Your original attorney may be aware of even the smallest details of your case, too, since they have been working on it. It is up to you to decide if you should continue with the process that has been started or start over elsewhere.
Finding A Personal Injury Attorney
Doing your due diligence before choosing an attorney is always best, and it can even help you avoid situations such as those we’ve mentioned. Ask friends and family if they have any referrals, research attorneys online, and above all, listen to your gut.
Never sign anything without first understanding all the fees and steps involved. You should also make sure that the personal injury attorney you choose has what it takes to handle the kind of case you have.
Don't be afraid to ask questions. For example, do they have the financial and staffing resources available to take on your case? What kinds of cases do they handle on a daily basis? How long have they been handling this type of personal injury case?
Take your time and find a personal injury attorney who is on your side right from the beginning. Look for someone who is not only experienced but also good when it comes to communicating with clients.