Three Signs You May Want To Change Attorneys During Your Personal Injury Case in New York
The outcome of your personal injury case can affect your life for years to come. However, if your case has stalled or your New York personal injury lawyer seems overmatched, it might be time to change attorneys. Otherwise, you might lose your case or wind up settling for less money than you were entitled to. If you notice any of these signs, it’s time to talk to another personal injury lawyer.
1. Your Lawyer Doesn’t Return Calls or Emails
Communication is the foundation of a strong attorney-client relationship. If your attorney regularly ignores your phone calls or takes days—or even weeks—to reply to emails, that’s a clear warning sign. An attentive attorney will promptly return your calls, explain developments clearly, and make sure you understand your options at every stage.
2. You Feel Pressured To Accept a Quick Settlement
If your attorney is pushing you to settle early—especially before you’ve fully healed or know the long-term impact of your injuries—that could mean they’re putting their interests ahead of yours.
A good lawyer will take the time to evaluate your case thoroughly, gather the right evidence, and negotiate aggressively with the insurance company. They’ll also explain every offer in plain terms and give you honest advice.
3. Your Lawyer Seems Unprepared or Disorganized
A disorganized attorney can hurt your chances of getting a fair outcome. If your lawyer misses deadlines, shows up unprepared for meetings, or confuses details about your case, they may not be giving your claim the attention it needs. These aren’t small mistakes, as they could lead to a denied claim or reduced compensation.
You need a lawyer who takes your case seriously and is ready to advocate for you at every step. A competent attorney will stay on top of paperwork, keep track of deadlines, and show up to every negotiation or court date with a solid plan.
How To Change Your Personal Injury Attorney in New York
You can hire a new personal injury lawyer anytime—even in the middle of your case. The process is usually simple. First, meet with the new attorney you think you’d like to hire. Once you decide to move forward with them, your new lawyer will notify your current attorney and handle the transfer of your case file. You must also sign a “consent to change attorney” form, which your new lawyer will file with the court if a lawsuit has already started. You won’t have to pay two legal fees—your old and new attorneys will split the final fee based on how much work each did in the case.
Why Choose Jaroslawicz & Jaros, PLLC?
When you trust your personal injury case to Jaroslawicz & Jaros, PLLC, you get a powerhouse legal team that brings more than 45 years of experience and over 300 years of combined legal knowledge to the table. Our firm has recovered over $2 billion for our clients, including hundreds of settlements and verdicts of $1 million or more.
Our clients also praise our firm’s professionalism and compassion, as seen from our hundreds of five-star reviews and a perfect 5-star rating on Google and a perfect 10 on Justia. We’ve earned national recognition for our services with honors from respected organizations like The National Trial Lawyers Top 100. If you want experienced, proven attorneys who put clients first, we’re the firm to call. Contact Jaroslawicz & Jaros, PLLC, now for a free consultation.