Is Your Attorney Answering Your Questions?

I often get calls from potential clients that already have attorneys. They are calling me because they are unhappy with their current attorney. I hear things like, “I don’t know what is going on in my case”, “I never get a call back from my attorney” and even “I have never talked to my attorney.” Even worse, I have heard potential clients say, “My attorney yells at me.” After I find out why they are unhappy, then I try to assess their injury claim. Most of the time the potential client knows very little about their claim other than the initial information about the accident. Many times they don’t know what their medical bills are, their loss of earnings and what future medical care their doctor is recommending and what is the cost of that expected treatment. They don’t know if their attorney has made any settlement demands. They don’t know what settlement offers have been made on their claim. They are not really sure how their claim is proceeding. Is their attorney going to file a lawsuit? Is their attorney willing to file a lawsuit? The best advice I can give them is to ask their attorney for the answer to these questions. If the attorney cannot either answer your questions of find out the answer to your questions, then you may have the wrong attorney. Communication between the client and their attorney can make all the difference between a disappointing settlement and a settlement or jury verdict that really compensates you for your injuries. If an attorney doesn’t know about an important witness, then how can he interview them. If the attorney doesn’t know or ask how you are responding medical treatment, then how is he going to know to have you examined by a specialist. And if an attorney is not willing to talk to you about his negotiation strategy, especially when the insurance company is making low or no offers, then how are you going to reach a reasonable settlement? Your attorney works for you. He should be able to answer all your questions. He should be happy to answer all your questions.