The personal injury attorney representing you in court should be a professional you trust who has your best interests. However, it is normal to feel the services offered by your representation don’t meet your expectations. If so, the best approach to take is switching attorneys.
You can choose and switch your personal injury attorney if you haven’t signed a settlement agreement. Note that there are several complexities involved with changing your legal representation. If unsure, consult a professional car accident law firm for a smooth process.
So, how can you switch personal injury attorneys, and is it safe?
Is Switching Personal Injury Attorneys Safe?
You can get another one if you change your mind about the lawyer representing your case. Switching personal injury lawyers is safe, especially since everybody can choose their legal representation. However, there are specific limitations you need to observe for a seamless switch.
It’s only in rare instances that you’ll have to pay fees or penalties because of changing lawyers. To ensure your rights remain protected, here are the steps to follow when switching to a new personal injury law firm:
Identify Your New Firm
After deciding to change your lawyer, the first thing to do is find a new one. Most law firms offer free consultation, which makes it easy to discuss case information and expected results. Ensure the new firm handles things differently and matches your expectations. It’s wiser to find a new lawyer first before terminating your current representation to avoid delaying the claim.
Sign the New Contract
After discussing your case details, it’s time to sign a contract with your new legal team. The best approach to identifying your ideal personal injury lawyer is asking direct questions. Ensure you understand the contract terms, from the contingency percentage to communication. Only after signing the contract will your old attorney be notified.
Allow Your New Lawyer to Take Over
By signing their contract, you give your new lawyer full responsibility for your personal injury case. After signing, they’ll start by preparing the necessary paperwork to notify all parties involved of the change in representation. They’ll also request all case files from your previous lawyer to help them catch up with your case.
Challenges to Expect When Switching Lawyers
Although you have the right to switch legal representation, there are several challenges to expect. If not careful, these challenges can prolong your case and even compromise your financial standings. They include:
Compensating Your Former Lawyer
Lawyers operate on a contingency fee basis. It means they receive a percentage of your settlement but only after receiving it. Therefore, switching lawyers before the case ends means both professionals are entitled to your settlement. The challenging part is determining their percentages.
New Attorney Familiarizing with Your Case
Another challenge with switching attorneys’ mid-case is the time it takes for the new team to internalize your case. It’s crucial that they get up to speed with the evidence submitted and case progress before moving forward. The longer your case goes on, the more time your new lawyer will need to catch up.
Statute Of Limitations
Each state has its unique statute of limitations for various cases. These requirements define the time you must file a lawsuit; they can be shortened and come with stipulations. For example, Minnesota residents have two years to file personal injury lawsuits and four years for medical malpractice victims.
You need a personal injury attorney to get the most out of your claim. However, if your current representation is disappointing, you can always switch. Switching personal injury attorneys is a simple but effective approach to regaining efficiency and success in your case.
