Can You Change Attorneys During Your Accident Lawsuit?

Being in an accident is an extremely scary, nerve-wracking, and painful time.Despite all the stress, hiring an injury attorney right away is extremely important to your case. Having someone experienced and knowledgeable on your side from the beginning will make your case not only easier for you, but will also allow your attorney to start collecting evidence and information right away, while the accident is still fresh.

We all hope to get the best attorney the first time around, but have you ever wondered if you can change attorneys during your accident lawsuit once you have already hired one? The accident attorneys at Mickey Keenan, P.A. want to explain your rights and how you can handle hiring—and firing—an attorney if they are not working out for you and your case.

Finding an Attorney Right After Your Accident

Finding the right attorney after an accident can be difficult. Sometimes you may not know where to look. Do you hire the first one that comes up in your Google search, or do you ask your friends or family for references, or do you wait for one to find you?

Depending on what type of accident you were involved in, you may find yourself being approached by dozens of attorneys at the accident scene or even the emergency room—these types of attorneys are often called ambulance chasers. There may be nothing wrong with hiring one of these attorneys, after all, it makes finding one on your own a lot easier. But are they really the right attorney for you?

Ask yourself these questions to ensure you get a reputable personal injury lawyer:

Will they return your phone calls in an appropriate amount of time?
Will they take the time to listen to your concerns and advocate on your behalf?
Will you actually get to talk to the attorney, or is their paralegal always relaying your questions?
Will they settle your case in a timely fashion or drag out your claim for a year?

Why Would You Want to Change Attorneys?

There is no way to know if you have hired the right accident attorney until you start working with them. You may realize right away you hired the wrong one or it may take you halfway through your case to realize you made a wrong mistake.

There are several reasons why you may want to change attorneys once you have already hired one. Some of these reasons may include:

Not returning your phone calls
Not getting a straight answer from the attorney or even their paralegal
Emails that go unanswered for weeks or months
Your attorney has missed an appointment, hearing, motion, or important call
Your attorney has rejected a settlement offer without talking to you first

These are all good reasons to question your attorney’s commitment to your case. It is also important to note that just because you do not like your attorney’s personality, does not necessarily mean you need to switch attorneys.

They can still be hard workers and dedicated to your case, but you should watch for personality differences as they may turn into conflict when deciding how you want your case handled.

Are You Allowed to Change Attorneys?

Yes! The bottom line is you have options and if your attorney is not working for you, you do have options. Depending on how far along your case is and what your attorney has already done may depend on how easy it is to switch. Usually, the earlier on in your case, the easier it is to switch.

You should always consider sitting down with an attorney that offers a free consultation before agreeing to hire an attorney. In these consultations, you can see what sort of work ethic the attorney entails and what their personality is like. These consultations cost you nothing but give you a good opportunity to see their firm and how organized they are and how dedicated they are to you.

The accident attorneys at Mickey Keenan, P.A. hope to be your attorneys from the beginning, but if you got misled by an ambulance chaser attorney or a snazzy commercial, we are happy to work with your unique case. Here, we care for each client like family and will let you know what the best course of action should be. Give one of our Tampa Bay offices if you have the inkling you may need a change in who is representing your case.

Let Accident Attorneys at Mickey Keenan, P.A. Fight for You

If you find yourself or a loved one in an accident, you may find yourself wanting to take the first available, best-sounding option as your attorney, but if you find yourself frustrated with their lack of commitment to you and your case, do not hesitate to call the attorneys at Mickey Keenan, P.A. at (813) 871-1300.

We will sit down with you for free, whether you need to hire an attorney or you already have one but need a second opinion. Whatever the case, Mickey Keenan, P.A. will be there for you.