If you have been injured in a car accident and hired an attorney to handle your case, you expect communication and dedication. But what happens when those expectations aren’t being met? Maybe your calls go unanswered for weeks, or you feel like your case has stalled without explanation. Perhaps you’ve lost confidence in your lawyer’s ability to secure the outcome you deserve.
Whatever the reason, you’re not stuck. California law protects your right to choose who represents you—even if your case is already underway. Speak with an experienced car accident lawyer in Bakersfield for guidance.
You Have the Right to Change Legal Representation at Any Time
In California, you have the right to fire your attorney and hire a new one at any point during your case. The attorney-client relationship is built on trust, and without that trust, effective representation becomes nearly impossible. You do not need to provide a specific reason or justify your decision to anyone to make the switch.
Reasons You Might Consider Switching Attorneys
There are many legitimate reasons why someone might decide their current attorney isn’t the right fit. Sometimes the issues become apparent early on, while other times they develop gradually as the case progresses. If any of the following situations sound familiar, it may be time to explore other options:
- Lack of Communication: Your attorney fails to return calls or emails promptly, leaving you feeling ignored and uninformed about important developments in your case.
- Missed Deadlines or Errors: You have noticed mistakes in filings, forgotten court dates, or other oversights that make you question your lawyer’s attention to detail.
- Personality Conflicts: You and your attorney simply do not work well together, making it difficult to collaborate effectively on your case strategy.
- Disagreements Over Case Strategy: Your lawyer wants to settle quickly for less than you believe your case is worth, or you have fundamental differences about how to proceed.
- Lack of Experience: You discovered that your attorney has limited experience handling car accident cases, which diminishes your trust in their ability to represent your claim.
- Ethical Concerns: You suspect your attorney is acting unethically or not prioritizing your best interests.
How Attorney Fees Are Handled When You Make a Change
Switching attorneys mid-case is your right, but it does come with financial considerations you should carefully evaluate. When you terminate your relationship with your current lawyer, you may owe them for work already completed on your case.
Most personal injury attorneys in Bakersfield work on contingency, meaning they receive a percentage of your settlement or verdict. If you switch lawyers, your original attorney may file a lien against any future recovery to protect their right to compensation for services rendered. Your new attorney will then negotiate their own fee arrangement with you.
In some cases, the two attorneys will split the contingency fee based on the work each performed. Before making the switch, have an honest conversation with potential new counsel about how fees will be handled so you can budget accordingly.
Find the Right California Car Accident Attorney for Your Case
Switching lawyers mid-case may feel like a drastic step, but sometimes it’s the right one. A new attorney can step in, review everything that has been done so far, and take over the fight for the compensation you deserve. If you are unhappy with how your case is being handled, a free consultation with another California car accident lawyer can help you weigh your options and decide whether a change is in your best interest.