Changing Personal Injury Lawyers in Arizona

In the aftermath of a car crash in Arizona, you may find yourself reconsidering your choice of legal representation.

The decision to change your Arizona personal injury lawyer is not uncommon and can be prompted by various reasons, such as:

dissatisfaction with the current lawyer’s communication
strategy
or the progress of your case

While the process may seem daunting, understanding your legal rights and the implications of such a change is crucial to maintaining the momentum of your personal injury claim.

Legally, you’re entitled to change your personal injury lawyer at any time in Arizona. However, this may involve certain formalities, especially if there’s an existing contract with your current lawyer.

Engaging with your insurance company after switching lawyers is another critical aspect of the process.

Timeliness and effective communication by your new attorney can minimize disruptions.

If considering a change, it’s important to have a clear plan, including discussing fees with both your current and prospective lawyers to understand any financial obligations you might face.

It is also essential to contemplate the timing and how it might affect the statute of limitations or the duration of your case.

If your legal needs evolve or you believe a different attorney could better serve your interests, initiating a change before significant case milestones can be beneficial.

This ensures continuity and can potentially avoid complicating the legal process.

Signing a contract with a new lawyer before terminating the old contract is advisable to avoid any gap in legal representation.

Why Contact the Law Gang

If you were injured in a car accident then you deserve to be compensated. A good lawyer will help make that happen.

However, sometimes finding a good lawyer right away can be difficult. If you need to change lawyers or don’t yet have one then reach out to us.

We know that after a car wreck, it can be quite difficult for an every day person to get the compensation benefits they are entitled to so we are here to help.

If you were involved in any type of injury to include a department store slip & fall, concert event accident or a car crash we can help.

After an injury there are many out of pocket expense that people need help with to include:

Medical bills
Lost wages from missing work
Gas / transportation money to see doctors
Opportunity cost of spending time on the injury

Battling the insurance companies with their lawyers is no easy task which is why you need help and should call the Law Gang today.

We will help you and can do the dirty work of negotiation and dealing with the insurance companies so you don’t have to. Our expertise in legal matters will be of great help to you.

The Law Gang will work hard for you and will try to get the highest settlement possible to make up for your pain, suffering, missed work, doctor / chiropractor bills and other out of pocket expense.

We work all areas of Arizona including Tucson, Mesa and the San Tan Valley.

Key Takeaways

You can change personal injury lawyers in Arizona at any point.
You must consider our contract and financial obligations when changing lawyers.
You should understand how changing lawyers might affect the timeline of our case.

Understanding the Right to Change Lawyers

In Arizona, clients have the flexibility to change their personal injury lawyers.

We will discuss the legal rights involved in making such a change, and the particulars when a contract exists between a client and their attorney.

Legal Rights to Change Lawyers

As a client in Arizona, you have the right to switch your personal injury lawyer at any point during the case. Key points to remember include:

Freedom of Choice: Clients are not bound to stick with the initial attorney they hire.
Client’s Best Interest: Changing lawyers should serve your best interests in terms of representation quality and comfort level with the attorney.

Implications of a Contract

Once you engage with a lawyer through a formal agreement, it is important to understand the terms of that contract.

Contractual Terms: Often, the initial contract includes clauses related to fees, the scope of representation, and provisions for termination of the contract. Termination

Process: It’s crucial to follow any specified process for terminating your agreement. Failure to do so can result in penalties or complications.

The Process of Changing a Lawyer

When considering a change in legal representation, it is crucial to understand the necessary steps and implications, particularly in managing ongoing medical expenses.

Steps to Take When Changing Your Lawyer

Review Your Current Contract: Examine the terms of your agreement to confirm the process and any potential costs of terminating the contract.
Document Your Reasons for the Change: Keep a clear record of the reasons for switching lawyers, as this can be important for your new attorney to understand.
Research and Select a New Attorney: Look for a lawyer with a proven track record in personal injury cases similar to yours.
Notify Your Current Lawyer: Provide formal, written notice to your current lawyer of your intent to change legal representation.
Settle Any Outstanding Fees: Discuss with your current lawyer about any unpaid fees or costs and how they should be handled.
Ensure the Transfer of Your Case Files: Your new lawyer will need all relevant documents and files to continue your case without delays.
Inform the Court and Insurance Company: Notify the court and the insurance company involved in your case about the change in representation.
Sign a Contract with Your New Lawyer: After proper due diligence, formalize your agreement with your new attorney to ensure legal representation.

Dealing with Medical Bills After Switching

Communicate with Your New Attorney: Inform your new lawyer about any ongoing medical treatments and related bills. It’s important they are aware of all financial aspects of your case.
Review Medical Liens or Payment Agreements: Your new attorney can examine any existing liens or payment plans to determine if they are being handled effectively.
Negotiate with Medical Providers: If necessary, your new attorney may negotiate with healthcare providers to manage the payment of your medical bills while your case is ongoing.

Accidental injuries and car crashes can happen anywhere including the counties of Greenlee, La Paz and Yavapai.

Busy streets where car wrecks occur may include E. Alice Ave, Aliso Canyon or Loop 303.

Reasons for Changing a Lawyer

In the quest for optimal legal representation, clients may find themselves reconsidering their choice of attorney.

It’s crucial we understand the motivators behind such a decision.

Common Reasons to Change Your Lawyer

Communication Issues: We often encounter clients who feel their lawyer is not communicating effectively or frequently enough. This can include not returning phone calls, emails, or failing to keep the client updated on case progress.
Lack of Confidence: Trust is fundamental in any attorney-client relationship. If we perceive a lack of skill, diligence, or dedication, it may be time to seek a lawyer who instills greater confidence.
Strategy Disagreements: Sometimes, we might disagree with the legal strategy our attorney intends to pursue. If these differences cannot be reconciled, it could warrant a change.
Progress Concerns: When a case seems to be stalling or not proceeding as expected, clients may become frustrated. This can be another compelling reason to switch lawyers.

Why Change Lawyers After a Car Crash?

Specialization: Car accident cases can be complex, and they often benefit from representation by lawyers who specialize in this area. If our current lawyer doesn’t have this specific expertise, we might move to one who does.
Improved Representation: We might learn of another lawyer through recommendations or research who has a stronger track record or more robust resources that could potentially make a significant difference in the outcome of our case.

Insurance Companies

When changing your personal injury lawyer, it’s crucial to ensure a smooth transition in dealings with the insurance company.

Interactions with Insurance After Lawyer Change

We must promptly inform the insurance company of the change in legal representation to avoid any miscommunication.

This typically involves sending a formal letter stating that the previous attorney no longer represents us and that all future correspondence should be directed to the new legal team.

Key steps include:

Notification: Our new lawyer will send a notice of representation to the insurance company.
Documentation Transfer: We ensure that all our case documents are transferred from our old attorney to the new one.
Point of Contact: Our new attorney becomes the insurance company’s new point of contact for negotiations and updates.

Communication: It’s important for us to maintain transparent communication with our new attorney about past interactions with the insurance company so they can effectively continue our representation without delays.

Financial and Legal Considerations

When considering a change of personal injury lawyers in Arizona, it’s essential to understand the financial and legal implications.

The process involves assessing obligations to your current attorney and the contractual details with your prospective attorney.

Financial Obligations to the First Attorney

Our first obligation revolves around settling any outstanding legal fees with the initial attorney. In Arizona, contingency fee agreements are common, where lawyers receive a percentage of the settlement.

If you change lawyers, you may still owe the first attorney for work already done.

This is often based on the work performed, calculated either by an hourly rate or a reasonable portion of the contingency fee.

Unpaid Expenses: We must account for expenses the first attorney incurred, such as filing fees or costs for obtaining medical records.
Lien on Settlement: The first attorney may place a lien on the eventual settlement for their services rendered, potentially delaying disbursement until the financial matters are resolved.

Contractual Considerations with the New Attorney

Upon hiring a new attorney, crafting a clear contractual agreement is crucial. This should specify the fee structure and address any liens from the previous attorney.

Fee Structure: We should comprehend and negotiate the fee structure with the new attorney. It usually stays within state-regulated limits, but negotiation might affect the percentage.
Acknowledgement of Liens: The new contract must acknowledge any liens from the previous attorney to avoid legal complications at settlement time.

This transition also involves obtaining and transferring case files while ensuring the new attorney is fully briefed to take over the case efficiently, thereby minimizing the impact on the case’s timeline.

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