It can seem impossible to find the right personal injury attorney. In fact, some people have no idea what to consider when choosing an attorney, and so they choose the first one that seems like an okay fit. The bad news is that if you choose the wrong attorney, it could be a bigger issue than you might think. Read on to learn about the potential risks you could face with the wrong attorney.
- Your Attorney Won’t Return Your Calls
- Your Attorney Might Not Act Professionally
- Your Lawyer Does Not Have the Capacity to Handle Your Case
- Your Attorney Might Not Follow Your Wishes
- You Might Have Billing Surprises
This is one of the top reasons that people choose to change attorneys – because they never hear back from their attorney. It is true that a good attorney is likely busy, but they should not take on a case if they cannot keep a client reasonably informed. They might not be able to return your call or email within minutes, but neither should your calls or emails go unanswered for weeks.
Just because a person has a law degree and passed the California Bar Exam does not mean that they are professional and understand how important it is to have decorum in a California courtroom. You want an attorney who is prepared, on time, and organized. You do not want an attorney who shows up late to their court dates, does not bring the proper documentation, or misses essential court deadlines.
There are a number of reasons a particular attorney might not have the capacity to handle your case. They might specialize in something like motorcycle accidents, and you were injured in a dog bite attack. It might be that the attorney has taken on too many clients without the necessary support staff. This is why it is often recommended that you work with a larger firm rather than a smaller one.
The truth is that you hire an attorney because you want their legal advice. They might not agree with your assessment of a situation because they have a career of law experience under their belt. However, you are still the client and they should take your wishes into consideration. If they pressure you to accept a settlement you have been clear you do not want to take, or if your lawyer does not share a settlement offer with you, then you have not good counsel.
Most personal injury attorneys work on a contingency basis that assures you do not pay a penny until they win your case. However, they should be upfront about how much you will eventually pay. In most cases, it is a percentage of your total award. If you choose the wrong attorney, they might end up charging much more than you expected.
If you want to talk to an honest, experienced, and trustworthy attorney then we advise you to contact The Law Offices of Larry H. Parker at 800-333-0000 for a free legal consultation.
