When you’re already managing the aftermath of an accident, you may not have considered if your personal injury law attorney is doing the job. You may not even know how to tell. Below we’ll explain the signs that it’s time to move on to an effective attorney in Houston, TX.
9 Signs You Need a New Personal Injury Law Attorney in Houston, TX
1. You Don’t Feel Listened To
2. Billing Isn’t Clear
Often, personal injury law works on contingency. This means that your lawyer will not receive payment for you until a final settlement has been agreed upon. Both you and your lawyer will agree beforehand on the percentage of your settlement that the lawyer will take. Some lawyers will offer free consultations to get a general understanding of your case and explain what the billing practice looks like.
At no point should you be unclear about what your charges will be. At no point should you receive charges that are inconsistent with what you agreed upon. And you should never have to pay hidden fees.
3. Deadlines Aren’t Met
Deadlines in personal injury law aren’t suggestions. Failing to meet a deadline can derail your entire case. As the client, it’s not your job to know about and follow the deadlines, but it’s helpful to have an idea of what to expect. After an accident, you need to call your insurance company to let them know about what happened in a timely manner. You don’t have to know every single detail of the accident yet, but you do need to make insurance aware.
Filing a claim with your insurance is entirely different from filing a personal injury lawsuit. You will have up to a few years to file your lawsuit and at least one year, depending on your state. For instance, this deadline, known as the statute of limitations, is different in Houston, TX than in Florida. Your lawyer should explain to you clearly about insurance claims and your state’s statute of limitations as well as complete the steps necessary to meet these deadlines.
4. They Don’t Have Experience Relating to Your Injury
5. You Can’t Find Any Reviews
You may feel more reassured by talking to a past client directly. Ask your lawyer to connect you with a previous client to understand what the process looks like and how it may feel for you. If your lawyer seems dismissive or suspicious, it may be time to reconsider.
6. They Make Promises
Your attorney should not tell you that you will receive a certain settlement amount or that a certain course of action will promise results. What they can do is lay out all of the facts, explain your options, and give a professional opinion about which path seems the most successful. When your lawyer makes a promise about what will happen, it can blind you from the reality of your case and even prevent you from making the most sound decisions based on the evidence.
7. Your Case Isn’t Going Anywhere
8. Communication is Ineffective
Personal injury law is all about communication, from negotiating with the other party to writing a demands letter. If your lawyer can’t communicate effectively with you on day-to-day items, how will they manage the most important aspects of your case? Poor communication is often a sign of lawyers who don’t think your case has enough value or don’t have enough experience to manage their caseloads. In either situation, you’d benefit from a new attorney.
9. You Don’t Feel a Sense of Trust
Evaluating your personal injury attorney may not be an easy process, but it’s one that can make all the difference. When you’re confident that your lawyer is the right one for you, you can rest assured that your case is in good hands. And if it’s time to make a change, take this as a sign to move forward. Contact us at Houston Personal injury Lawyers: We’re here to lend a helping hand.
