Most people do some level of research to determine if a personal injury attorney is right for them. Sometimes, they ask friends or family members for recommendations. Of course, you want a lawyer who will work in your best interests and help you get a fair recovery; however, sometimes you realize your choice for legal representation isn’t working the way you want it to. Your lawyer may not communicate with you in an open and honest way; he may not have experience representing clients with your type of personal injury; or you may not feel he is aggressively pursuing your fair recovery.
If you find that you have lost trust in your attorney or have fundamental differences with him, it’s important to first discuss the issue together to see if it can be fixed. If not, you may need to find another attorney. 
Your Right to Change Personal Injury Lawyers
As a client, you have the right to change lawyers at any time during your case. However, if your personal injury case goes to trial, you may need the court’s permission to make this change. If you decide to change personal injury lawyers, you need to:
- Find new representation. You may be anxious about making a mistake again. However, there are steps you can take to ensure that you find the right fit. Asking the right questions and doing a little research can help you hire a lawyer you can better work with. A new lawyer can explain the consequences of letting your existing lawyer go and any legal consequences it might have with your case.
- Communicate to your current attorney that you’re making a change. Communicating to your current attorney that you’re changing attorneys should be done in writing. While being honest about why you’re making this change can be stressful, it’s important to be open and upfront about why you want new legal representation.
Tips for Finding the Right Personal Injury Lawyer
To ensure that you hire the right lawyer you believe in and feel comfortable with, you should spend time doing research in a variety of areas about the new attorney. Before you schedule a meeting, you should:
- Review client testimonials.
- Research the attorney on independent websites
- Look up an attorney on the Virginia State Bar website to determine if the attorney has any ethical violations or if the attorney is in good standing.
- Review the attorney’s previous case results.
- Review the answers to frequently asked questions and other free information on the firm’s website.
At your initial meeting, you should ask hard questions, including:
- How do you communicate with clients?
- How often should I expect to hear from you?
- How many cases like mine have you handled before? How many have gone to trial?
- How will you be paid?
- What will happen if the insurance company won’t settle for a fair amount?
- How will my case be staffed?
It is important to be honest about what you are looking for, about your expectations, and about why you are firing your current lawyer.
Work With a Personal Injury Lawyer You Trust
You have a lot at stake. Once your case is resolved through a settlement or court verdict, your compensation is likely final. You won’t be able to pursue further compensation for the same injuries. Therefore, you owe it to yourself to work with a lawyer you trust and who will fight hard for your fair recovery.
If you would like to learn more about the personal injury lawyers at Kearney, Freeman, Fogarty & Joshi, we invite you to contact us at any time to schedule a free, no-obligation consultation. We would be happy to meet you, answer your questions, and provide you with an honest opinion about your claim.
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