It’s tough enough to recover from a major car accident and pursue compensation for your damages. But what happens if you don’t get along with your attorney or are dissatisfied with how they manage your case?
Can you switch attorneys in the middle of a car accident case? Yes. Knowing that you’re not fighting this battle alone and having the best lawyer on your side can make a huge difference in how your case is handled.
You must act in your best interests if you have no confidence in your current legal counsel. Be ready to proceed with your lawsuit by inviting a skilled and experienced attorney to take over from this point.
Don’t feel bad about hiring a new car accident attorney; you deserve someone who will make every effort to see you win.
If you have been involved in a car accident in Rhode Island and aren’t receiving the legal representation you need, this post is for you.
Read on to learn what to do when hiring a new Rhode Island car accident attorney.
Can you Switch Auto Accident Attorneys?
Yes, you may change your vehicle accident lawyer in the middle of your car accident case.
Don’t let your present lawyer intimidate you! The lawyer may claim you owe them money if you shift to a new lawyer in the middle of a lawsuit.
Generally, if you change lawyers in the middle of a lawsuit, your former lawyer could be able to claim a lien on any settlement you end up receiving. The lien amount will be considered a fair trade for their legal services.
Your new personal injury lawyer could pay for that, or it might be deducted from your settlement money.
However, if you change counsel before the start of a lawsuit, your present counsel is probably not entitled to anything.
Another thing, if you’re dissatisfied with your current car accident lawyer, switching could earn you a better settlement. So, don’t be lured to stick with a lawyer you disagree with and who could earn less.
Are There Any Exceptions to Switching to a New Car Accident Attorney?
In specific situations, changing vehicle accident lawyers in the middle of a case isn’t an option.
- The court can turn down your request to replace counsel if doing so will drag out the proceedings.
- When changing lawyers will result in a conflict of interest in the case. Your new lawyer may be well familiar with the other parties, etc.
You can switch car accident lawyers without any problems in practically any other case.
When Can I Switch Auto Accident Attorneys?
If you doubt your current auto accident lawyer’s ability to obtain a fair settlement, you may lose confidence in them. You could achieve a better outcome for your case if you hire a new car accident attorney.
All you need to do is weigh the advantages and disadvantages before switching to another lawyer.
If you are confident that changing to a different attorney won’t have any adverse effects, switch to another lawyer who can get a better outcome for your case.
There’s a lot on the line when seeking compensation, and you can’t risk going with a lawyer who isn’t on your side.
There are several reasons why a lawyer might not be suitable for you, such as their communication style, approach to your case, the decisions they make to represent you, or scheduling conflicts.
There are multiple other reasons to use a different lawyer. In the end, you should have a lawyer who supports both the objectives of your case and your personality.
What Steps Should You Take When Choosing a New Car Accident Attorney?
Your relationship with your attorney is based on what’s best for you, so keep this in mind when deciding to switch. Finding a new auto accident lawyer to represent you will be the most challenging because your new attorney should handle most of the work.
Follow the steps below to locate a lawyer who will effectively represent you.
- Step 1: Finding a new personal injury attorney to defend you during this procedure is the most challenging. Only fire your current vehicle accident lawyer once you’ve found a new, perfect advocate for your cause. Your new lawyer should believe in your case and be ready to take over as quickly as possible.
- Step 2: You will sign a new retainer with your new auto accident lawyer once you’ve chosen them, spoken with them about the transition, and are happy with the new terms. This will guarantee that you have legal counsel and will never be left unrepresented.
- Step 3: Rhode Island Rules of Civil Procedure Rule 5 requires your lawyer to send a formal ‘substitution of counsel’ notice to the court and other parties involved in the case that you’re changing lawyers. Your lawyer will also send a letter to “stop work,” notifying your existing attorney that they are no longer your representative. If they want it to be enforceable, your Rhode Island car accident attorney may want you to deliver it in person.
- Step 4: Ensure you fully brief your new lawyer on your case and be open and honest with them on all relevant facts.
Let your new Rhode Island car accident attorney handle the challenging details of the remaining steps while you concentrate on your recuperation.
What Should I Look for in a New Auto Accident Attorney?
Coming to terms with swapping car accident lawyers in the middle of a case isn’t easy. You may already be struggling with significant medical expenses and accident-related problems.
You could also be worried that you chose your counsel poorly, making you doubt if you did enough homework or whether there was a problem with how your initial case was handled.
Before transferring your case, conduct more research on the car accident lawyer you intend to choose. Given the difficulties linked with your current issue, the new lawyer should be ready to intervene.
If you are dissatisfied with your present lawyer’s management, discuss your concerns with your new lawyer. For instance, if you’re worried that your current vehicle accident attorney hasn’t informed you, mention how you value communication.
You may also ask for additional information on how the law firm and any staff managing your case would support you. This will significantly ease your mind as you decide to proceed.
What If My Other Attorney Is Angry?
Working with a new lawyer in a vehicle accident lawsuit is difficult. You hope your initial attorney will continue to be professional even if you decide to end your work relationship with them.
It’s advisable to always delegate any necessary communication to your new lawyer so that you can feel confident in your choices.
Your new attorney can assist you in moving on with the compensation recovery procedure and wrapping up any essential details or discussions with the prior attorney.
Realizing that your existing legal counsel is inadequate is difficult enough. It might be even more frustrating to imagine telling your lawyer that things didn’t work out.
Engaging with a different personal injury attorney who may take over your case and inform the first attorney of your choice is frequently advisable.
The new lawyer probably won’t be shocked if you’ve had persistent problems with your existing representative.
In the end, your case is crucial to your future, and you deserve to have an attorney advocating for your rights and the fundamental objectives of your case.
Switch to a New Rhode Island Car Accident Attorney Today!
Are you unhappy with your current car accident attorney? If you’re ready to switch to another car accident lawyer, we can help.
At Legal Giant, we understand how complicated this is and can help you make the right decisions about your case. Our partner Rhode Island car accident attorneys are here to help you pursue your rightful compensation.
Call us at (855) 740-5024 for a free consultation and review of your case.
