A car accident lawyer with experience in Laredo can be a significant asset and a critical representative during your car accident claim in Texas. If the first attorney you choose doesn’t give your case the attention or effort it deserves, however, this could hinder rather than help you. Luckily, Texas law gives claimants the right to switch car accident lawyers mid-case, if needed.
Reasons to Switch Car Accident Lawyers Mid-Case in Texas
Changing lawyers in the middle of an active or ongoing car accident case is not a decision you should make lightly. While it is certainly worth the effort under the right circumstances, you should have a valid reason for the switch.
Reasons to switch attorneys can include:
- Communication issues with your current attorney
- Constantly being left in the dark about the status of your case
- The law firm does not have the time to dedicate to your case
- Your case is not moving according to the expected plan or timeline
- Your attorney has used an ineffective legal strategy
- Lack of competence, skill or experience
- Overbilling or hidden (nondisclosed) fees
- The attorney is unlicensed or not in good standing with the State Bar
- You feel uncomfortable or like you can’t trust your lawyer
There can be some consequences to changing attorneys mid-case, such as your case taking longer to get resolved and being billed by multiple attorneys. However, switching to the right new lawyer can minimize or help you avoid these issues.
How to Change Your Lawyer in the Middle of a Car Accident Case
You have the right to end your professional relationship with your attorney and hire a new one at any stage of your case in Texas, whether you’re in the middle of negotiations with a car insurance company, have filed or are about to file a lawsuit, or have already begun litigation.
Here are the steps it takes:
- Find a new car accident attorney in Texas – one that meets all of your needs, has plenty of experience and offers to represent you.
- Your new lawyer will file a notice of appearance of lead counsel with the courts, as well as a motion to substitute counsel. Once the judge approves, the switch will be made official.
- If your car accident case ends in a successful settlement or judgment award, your new lawyer will pay your original attorney out of the amount won before sending you the rest.
You do not have to give your current attorney a specific reason for firing them, or even communicate with them about the switch. They will be notified once the courts withdraw them from your case. Once the transition has been completed, you have the right to request your car accident case file from your original attorney.
Important Considerations Before Switching Attorneys Mid-Case
While it is possible for a change in attorney to affect the processing time of a Laredo personal injury claim, this is not a guarantee. Most law firms have the resources to seamlessly transition a case to help you avoid extra time and costs. Ask your new attorney if he or she believes there will be any impact on your case due to the switch.
If you think you would benefit from changing car accident lawyers in the middle of an ongoing case, start the process by finding another attorney better suited to meet your needs. Do not worry about making your current attorney upset or angry; switching lawyers mid-case is not uncommon. In fact, in many cases, existing attorneys can refer cases to new ones on behalf of the client.
Note that it is never too late to change car accident lawyers. Even if you are in the middle of a trial, if you believe your current attorney is not serving your interests as well as he or she could be, explore your other options. Just make sure the new lawyer you are considering is able to take over your case at its current stage.