Can I Change My Accident Lawyer?

Yes, you can change your accident lawyer in the course of your personal injury lawsuit if you feel the need to. 

After a bicycle crash, work injury, dog bite, or other incident that caused your injury, you’ll be dealing with a lot of stressors that you hadn’t planned for, and your accident attorney shouldn’t be one of them. In fact, having legal support should make pursuing your compensation less difficult by leaving you with more time to focus on your recovery. 

What are some of the reasons you might need to change a lawyer and how should you go about it? More importantly, what will happen when you change an accident attorney?

Signs You Might Need to Change Your Lawyer

Your financial future and mental well-being could be at stake when it comes to an injury claim. If you’ve noticed some of the common signs below, it might be time to start finding another lawyer or law firm to represent you:

• Poor or no communication from the attorney or their assistants
• You don’t feel comfortable with the lawyer’s case strategy, or lack thereof 
• They compel you to accept a lower insurance offer than your claim qualifies for
• You no longer believe in their legal expertise or ability to get a fair settlement for you
• Unethical behavior displayed by the attorney
• You don’t feel involved enough in the case to make informed decisions

What Is the Process of Changing a Lawyer?

The first thing you should consider is the contract you signed with your current attorney. What does it say about switching from their services and in what other ways are you legally bound?

Next, look for a lawyer that’ll be the best fit by considering online reviews and their experience handling cases like yours. Go ahead and arrange an initial meeting to learn their strategy and whether it aligns with what you have in mind.

When you find what you’re looking for, notify your current attorney through a letter that you wish to terminate their services and request them to send your case files to your new attorney. Remember to notify the court too, as well as the insurance company representing the defendant.

What Happens After I Change My Accident Lawyer?

Many accident victims are worried they’ll bear penalties or incur an additional fee after changing their attorney. This couldn’t be further from the truth.

When you change, the new attorney handles your case until you get your deserved settlement. 

One of the challenges that might arise is how the first lawyer gets compensated for any work they did on your lawsuit. In this case, their amount will be deducted from the originally established attorney fees, leaving your percentage share of the settlement intact. 

Reach Out to a Qualified Accident Lawyer

The lawyers at Conway, Pauley & Johnson P.C. are passionate about helping accident victims in our community by representing their best interests when pursuing a settlement. If you’re here because you’ve considered a switch of attorneys, take advantage of our free consultation to know how we can help you further your case.

Get in touch for a free case review by calling 402-462-5187 or filling out the contact form below to schedule a session.