I Feel Like My Lawyer Is Not On My Side (Signs To Watch Out For)

Hiring a personal injury lawyer is supposed to make life a little easier after an accident. 

Instead of dealing with insurance companies, paperwork, negotiations, and legal deadlines on your own, you have someone in your corner handling those things for you.

But what happens when it starts to feel like your lawyer isn’t actually on your side?

Maybe your calls aren’t being returned. Maybe you don’t understand what is happening with your case. Perhaps your lawyer keeps pushing you toward a settlement that doesn’t feel right, or important decisions seem to be made without much explanation.

In this post, we’ll go over the signs that your lawyer is not on your side.

Signs Your Lawyer May Not Be Representing You Well

There are a few things that can make you question how your case is being handled. Here are some of the signs they might not be doing a good job:

#1 Your Lawyer Does Not Communicate With You

Communication is one of the biggest parts of a healthy attorney-client relationship.

Your lawyer does not need to answer every message within five minutes. They have other clients, court appearances, meetings, and paperwork to handle. 

But you should have a reasonable way to get updates and ask important questions.

If weeks go by and you have no idea what is happening, that is frustrating for a good reason. Start by contacting the office and clearly explaining that you need an update on your case.

Sometimes the problem is simply poor communication within the law firm rather than a problem with the actual legal work.

Also Read: Do Lawyers Make Deals With Each Other?

#2 Your Lawyer Is Not Explaining What Is Happening With Your Case

Your lawyer should be able to explain what stage your case is in, what has happened so far, what needs to happen next, and what major issues could affect the claim.

If you leave every conversation more confused than when you started, ask for a simpler explanation.

It is perfectly reasonable to say, “Can you explain what this means for my case in simple terms?” A good conversation can sometimes clear up concerns that have been building for months.

#3 Your Lawyer Pressures You To Accept A Settlement

Accepting an offer can sometimes make sense.

The problem is feeling pressured into accepting an offer without understanding it.

Before making a major settlement decision, you should have an opportunity to discuss the amount offered, your damages, the evidence supporting your claim, the risks of continuing, and what could happen if the case goes further.

Your lawyer can give you professional advice, but you should understand the reasoning behind that advice.

If your attorney repeatedly tells you to take the money without explaining the bigger picture, ask for a detailed discussion before signing anything.

Also Read: Hit A Curb At 30 MPH

#4 Your Lawyer Seems More Interested In Settling Than Fighting For You

Building a strong case takes effort, patience, and real dedication, but some lawyers prefer taking the path of least resistance by settling early instead of preparing for trial. 

But what if your attorney seems completely terrified of going to court or refuses to gather necessary evidence?

They might be cutting corners to avoid doing the heavy lifting. 

You deserve a legal advocate who is genuinely prepared to go to bat for you and fight for every dollar you are owed.

#5 Your Lawyer Makes Important Decisions Without Explaining Them

Your lawyer will handle many routine tasks without needing to discuss every small detail with you.

Major decisions are different.

If something significant happens with your case and you don’t understand why, ask about it. You can request an explanation of the decision, how it affects your claim, and what happens next.

You are allowed to ask questions about your own case. In fact, asking questions can prevent misunderstandings from becoming much bigger problems later.

What To Do If You Don’t Trust Your Personal Injury Lawyer

If you have started losing confidence in your lawyer, try not to make a rushed decision based purely on frustration.

Also Read: How To Tell If Your Lawyer Is Working Against You

First, write down the specific problems you have experienced. This gives you something concrete to discuss instead of having a general conversation about feeling unhappy with the representation.

Then request a meeting or phone call with your lawyer and explain your concerns directly.

• Ask for a current update on your case.
• Ask what the next major step will be.
• Ask your lawyer to explain any recommendation you don’t understand.
• Ask about the strengths, weaknesses, and risks involved in your claim.

Take notes during the conversation. If the explanation clears things up, great. You may discover that the problem was mainly communication.

If you still have serious concerns afterward, consider getting a second opinion from another personal injury attorney. A second lawyer may be able to review the situation and explain the options available to you.

Can You Fire Your Personal Injury Lawyer?

You have the absolute right to fire your lawyer at any point during your legal case.

If your case has already been filed in court, changing attorneys may require additional steps. Your new lawyer can usually explain what needs to happen.

Before making the change, consider the practical side of it too.

• Review your fee agreement with your current lawyer.
• Ask another attorney about the process of changing representation.
• Check for upcoming court dates and legal deadlines.
• Make sure your case files and important documents can be transferred properly.

Do not simply stop responding to your current lawyer and assume everything will work itself out. Your case may have deadlines that continue to run even while you are looking for new representation.

Also Read: Lawyer Colluded With The Other Side

What Happens If You Change Personal Injury Lawyers?

When you switch attorneys mid-case, your new lawyer takes care of transferring your physical files and notifying the insurance companies about the change in legal representation. 

You don’t have to worry about paying double attorney fees either.

Your former lawyer and your new lawyer will simply share the final legal fee according to their agreement once your case eventually settles. 

The whole process is usually smooth, and your new lawyer will handle all the awkward awkwardness of notifying your old firm.

Bottom Line

Feeling like your personal injury lawyer is not on your side can be incredibly frustrating, especially when you are already dealing with the physical, financial, and emotional aftermath of an accident.

Poor communication, unexplained decisions, constant settlement pressure, and a lack of clear answers are all legitimate concerns to bring up with your attorney.

Start by having a direct conversation and asking specific questions about your case. You may find that the problem is communication rather than the actual handling of your claim.

If your concerns continue, getting a second legal opinion can help you understand your options. In some situations, changing lawyers may also be possible.