Personal injuries aren’t all that uncommon. Whether at work, on the road, or out in the world, accidents happen and they aren’t always your fault. That’s why it’s a good idea to hire a personal injury lawyer when you get hurt. They can help you get all the money you may deserve.
Unfortunately, hiring an attorney isn’t a guarantee that you’ll get the money you need to support you and your family while you recover. Not all lawyers are created equal, and if you’re unlucky, you may find yourself with a dud.
Switching lawyers can be expensive and annoying, so you want to make sure you’re making the right decision. What are some of the signs that you should look for a new attorney? They include:
- They aren’t doing everything they can
- Communication is a nightmare
- They are incompetent
- They are dishonest
- You just aren’t comfortable
They Aren’t Doing Everything They Can
There’s a reason why you hire a lawyer to help you. The law is complex and confusing, but it also means there are a lot of things your attorney can do to help your case and make you comfortable during the process. For example, did you know in some states you can collect pretrial interest? This would enable you to get some of the money you deserve while you wait for a verdict in your case. That can be a lifesaver if your case takes years to be resolved!
You can also know about lawyers’ practice areas and their experience by reaching out to their customers. For instance, reading through realjustice.com, you can gain insights of their previous clientage. It’s your lawyer’s job to surprise you with their knowledge. If they aren’t doing everything they can and instead you feel like you could easily do the job they’re doing, it’s time to look for a new attorney.
Communication is a Nightmare
You have to be able to communicate with your attorney. For example, if you can’t ever seem to get a hold of them on the phone, or you have tried emailing them multiple times, but it takes them days or even weeks to get back, you need a new lawyer.
The quality of your communication matters too. If your attorney seems rude, dismissive, distracted, or tries to get you off the phone as fast as possible when you’re trying to talk about your case, you would probably find communicating with someone else a lot more pleasant.
They Are Incompetent
Lawyers have to pass the bar, but that doesn’t automatically qualify them to work on your case. There are many fields of law an attorney is licensed to do, but doing them all means not doing any of them very well.
For example, if your attorney does personal injury law, but they also take care of bankruptcy and divorce cases without enough staff to cover so many categories of law, they probably aren’t going to have the expertise you’re looking for.
They Are Dishonest
Lawyers have a reputation for being dishonest, but that doesn’t mean they all are. There are plenty of honest attorneys out there, so there’s no need to work with one who isn’t.
An attorney should never be willing to go along with fraud of any kind, which is important in a personal injury case. They should never make suggestions that seem shady, like exaggerating your symptoms, and they should never lie to you about your case. If your attorney does any of these things, even if they seem like they are done in your best interest, you should find an attorney with a better reputation.
You Just Aren’t Comfortable
Sometimes there isn’t a cut and dry reason why you don’t like your attorney. They may seem competent, communicative, and honest, but you still have a weird feeling every time you talk.
Listen to your intuition. Chances are, it’s telling you something about your attorney that you can’t put your finger on, but it’s there nonetheless.
Even if it turns out there’s nothing wrong with your attorney, the fact is you still have to talk to them on a regular basis. If you dread working with your attorney, no matter what the reason, you’ll undoubtedly feel better if you find someone you actually enjoy talking to.
An attorney can really help you in a personal injury case, but that doesn’t mean any attorney will do. There’s a chance you may realize that you’ve hired the wrong person for the job. It’s not too late! Look out for these signs so you can feel confident letting your current attorney go so you can hire a new one.