Do I Have to Stay with a Personal Injury Lawyer if We Do Not Get Along?
You have been in an automobile accident and you have decided to hire a lawyer to represent you; what happens if you do not feel that you are getting fair representation? What if you need to go to court, but you have a lawyer that is young and inexperienced? You should never feel like you are required to stay with a lawyer.
There may be another lawyer in the firm that you trust more, but if not, then seek counsel from another firm. It is vitally important to know what you are looking for when you interview the lawyer at the consultation. Those visits are usually free and you can gather a lot of information, including their experience.
Some lawyers may surprise you. They may push for you to settle even though you do not feel like the amount is enough, or they could keep pushing for more even though you are satisfied with the claim amount. The lawyer should work for you and represent what you want; even if that is not the same path they would take. It is important to note that they can give their suggestions, but you have the final say on which path to take. You are the one injured and you are the one paying the bills.
Something to keep in the back of your mind is the fact that even if you decide to change lawyers, you may still owe your previous lawyer for the work they have done. Many clients will have agreed to a contingency fee payment arrangement, meaning they do not have to pay anything until their claim is won. This does not mean, however, that they will not have incurred expenses from researching your case. Oftentimes contingency clauses do not cover firing of the law firm.
After your accident, you will want to make sure that you document everything and keep copies of anything you give to a lawyer. This is helpful if you do need to switch legal counsel and you have trouble obtaining your file. It is also why it important to research various law firms prior to hiring someone. Talk to your friends or anyone you know that may have had to hire a lawyer in the past and would be willing to give you feedback on their experience. Referrals are a great starting point in finding a law firm that you will be happy with, but there is never a guarantee. Having other options researched will allow a quick and easy change if necessary.