Can I Get a Higher Settlement on my Lawsuit if I Change my Lawyer?

There’s no way to deny that obtaining the highest possible settlement is your primary goal when you hire a lawyer to represent you in an accident claim. Whether you had a slip and fall or got hurt from a car accident, securing maximum payment is the best way to ensure that you can cover your medical expenses and daily cost of living as you recover from your injuries. For some people, the accident may be serious enough to cause permanent damage, and in that case, it’s more important than ever to obtain every penny you deserve for your current and future needs.

The problem is, you have a lawyer that doesn’t seem to be invested in your case. Alternatively, you are continuing to clash with them over important issues, like whether to accept a settlement offer or push for a higher amount, even if it means taking your case to trial. No matter the reason, any problem during the legal process is likely to have an impact on how much you can receive from a lawsuit.

Finding yourself in this position is quite stressful, and you probably have all sorts of questions on your mind, including, “Can I get the highest settlement on my case if I fire my lawyer and hire a new lawyer?”

Thankfully, firing a lawyer is completely up to you, and there is no cut off point where you are stuck with an attorney. When you have questions about your rights as a victim of negligence or misconduct, a seasoned personal injury lawyer is your best source of information. If you are unhappy with your current lawyer and want to know how you can find a new law firm to represent you, contact us today.

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Will I Get More Money if I Switch to a New Lawyer?

Yes, it’s possible to get more money from a personal injury claim if you find a new lawyer to take over your case. However, moving onto another lawyer – especially if you have an existing claim or lawsuit – is not something you should take lightly. There are pros and cons to every decision you make in life, so you will need to weigh these factors against each other and make what appears to be the most sensible decision.

With that being said, it’s important to look for red flags, like inexperience, disorganization, or incompetence from an attorney. For example, you may have hired a lawyer based on their assertion that they are thoroughly experience in motorcycle accidents that cause severe injuries, like amputation and spine injury. As the months go by, you find that the answers to your questions are vague and confusing, and your lawyer is no closer to submitting a claim for damages with the other driver’s insurance company. Or, you have an active lawsuit for a back injury, but your attorney seems to lack the skill that’s needed to negotiate a better settlement.

These are legitimate concerns, but then again, what are the consequences of firing a lawyer in the middle of a case?

Will Finding a New Lawyer Hurt my Case?

The last thing you want as an accident victim is to prolong the amount of time it takes to reach a settlement. As a result, you are probably wondering if switching lawyers with an existing claim is going to make things worse. So, let’s go over the leading misconceptions that people have about changing lawyers:

• Changing lawyers will cost you more money

This is one issue that comes up time and time again when we speak with people who are in the middle of an accident claim. It’s understandable, since your lawyer probably took your case on contingency, meaning they get a percentage of your settlement instead of charging you upfront. So, what’s the point in changing lawyers if it takes away an even greater chunk of your payment?

But here’s the truth: when you find a new lawyer, that person and your former attorney will work out a fee agreement where they share the amount that is reserved for legal fees. Thus, the amount you pay to both attorneys doesn’t change. It’s simply a matter of splitting the fee based on an agreement that the lawyers work out on their own.

• Finding a new lawyer will cause delays that set back your case

There are situations where this may happen, but we can tell you from experience that for many people, the opposite is true. If your current lawyer is failing to make any progress due to lack of experience, knowledge, and other issues, then handing your case over to a new lawyer is likely to speed up the process of reaching a settlement. In most cases, your new lawyer will pick up exactly where the other one left off with little to no interruptions.

Other Reasons to Fire an Attorney

No relationship is perfectly ideal, so there may be times during your case when you are annoyed or disappointed. However, there is no reason to end things with a lawyer who is giving you the time and attention you deserve and putting in the work to settle your claim. So, what are the reasons that merit a change in counsel, regardless of how far along you are with a lawsuit?

Here are some of the issues that can be used as justification to switch your lawyer:

• It’s very difficult to get a hold of your lawyer, i.e., they are unresponsive or take too long to return calls and emails.
• If there is a response, it’s always from a secretary, paralegal, etc., even if it’s a complicated issue and you specifically asked to speak with your attorney.
• Your lawyer is condescending or rude or dismissive of your concerns / suggestions.
• You don’t receive updates about your case, like settlement offers or notices from the court.
• You feel like your lawyer is pressuring you into something you don’t want to do (accept a settlement, ask for a trial date, etc.)

If any of these points sound familiar to you, remember that what happens in your case is ultimately up to you. Of course, the point of having a lawyer is to rely on their advice on guidance, but at the end of the day, they work for you, not the other way round. If sticking with your lawyer is not in your best interest, you have the right to move on, even if you signed a contract.

However, it is important to understand the contract terms and be fully aware of what will happen if you decide to fire your lawyer and change to someone else. This is where we can be of help, so please give us a call if you have any questions or concerns about the process of changing lawyer for an accident case.

Schedule a Free Second Opinion

Here at Normandie, we believe in free legal services for anyone who was victimized by someone else’s negligence. That includes a free second opinion consultation, where you can talk to a lawyer experience in truck accidents, trip and falls, assault and battery, and any other incident that caused harm and suffering. With their input, you can make an informed decision on moving your case to a new law firm or staying with your current attorney.

The consultation is completely free of charge; all you have to do is contact us and schedule a time to speak with one of our legal experts.

Zero Fee Guarantee

Along with a free consultation to discuss the option of switching lawyers, we provide free legal services for the entire duration of your case. Our Zero Fee Guarantee policy allows you to hire an accident injury lawyer for $0 upfront. Once we secure your settlement award, we will deduct a percentage to go towards our expenses. This is the only form of payment we receive, so there’s nothing for you to pay if we don’t win your case.

Our law firm is here for you 24/7, so please contact us right away and schedule a free case evaluation.