Many car accident survivors hire lawyers when their injuries are serious enough to require extensive medical treatment. If the attorney is not performing up to expectations, firing them is an option. This is not a decision to make lightly, especially when significant time has been invested. Looking at the situation objectively helps you figure out the best course of action.
There are red flags that indicate you should fire your personal injury lawyer. Many seem honest and open in consultations, but, soon afterward, a lack of communication becomes apparent. This is shown through unanswered calls, emails, and questions. An uncommunicative lawyer might also make you feel uncomfortable by being impatient, unclear, or making insulting comments.
Clients also fire lawyers who do not prioritize their cases or have no personal injury experience, even though they claimed to during the consultation. Lawyers are also fired because of major disagreements and poor settlement or court outcomes.
How Can I Fire My Car Accident Lawyer?
It is your right to fire a lawyer for any reason, but the process requires more than a simple call, text, or email. The problems you are experiencing could be related to miscommunication, so organize your thoughts and have an honest conversation. If you are still dissatisfied, interview a few other lawyers who practice the same area of law. Choose a new one before firing your current attorney.
Your new lawyer will help you go over the current contract, which usually includes provisions for terminating your client-attorney relationship. A formal letter can be sent to the attorney, and, if the case is pending in court, a notification must be sent there as well.
Will Changing Lawyers Cost Me More Money?
If you provided advance payment to the original attorney, you may be able to get a refund, however, sometimes that is nonrefundable. Otherwise, it should not cost you more to fire the first one and hire a new one since you should only pay one attorney fee.
After the case is resolved, that fee gets split between both law firms. Monies are divided up are based on “quantum meruit.” This guides the process and reflects the reasonable value of each firm’s services. If each firm completed the same amount of work for the case, the fee can be split equally. If not, it gets divided up accordingly.
Media Car Accident Lawyers at Eckell Sparks Can Represent You
Changing a personal injury lawyer might be the best decision if your case is not getting the support it needs. To learn more, contact one of our skilled Media car accident lawyers at Eckell, Sparks, Levy, Auerbach, Monte, Sloane, Matthews & Auslander, P.C. Call us at 610-565-3701 or complete our online form for a confidential. Located in Media and West Chester, Pennsylvania, we serve clients in Delaware County, Chester County, and Montgomery County.