get a Second
Opinion
You haven’t been yourself since the accident. You cannot work. Chronic pain prevents you from getting out of bed on your own. Worse yet, things with your current personal injury lawyer aren’t working out. So, what now?
You may get a second opinion from another attorney if you’re dissatisfied with the legal help you receive. Here, you can learn about seeking a second opinion from a professional personal injury lawyer in Atlanta and what it could mean for your case.
You may get a second opinion from another attorney if you’re dissatisfied with the legal help you receive. Here, you can learn about seeking a second opinion from a professional personal injury lawyer in Atlanta and what it could mean for your case.

SCHEDULE FREE CONSULTATION
Get a Free Consultation

100% secure & Confidential
Some Things Are out of Your Control
While your lawyer can do everything possible to advance your case, there are some things they cannot control. For instance, a lawyer cannot control how quickly your case progresses. They can work to avoid certain complications, but they cannot expedite the process itself or reverse any deadlines that may have passed.
Some things outside of your lawyer’s control during your partnership include:
Some things outside of your lawyer’s control during your partnership include:
The other party’s willingness to settle
The cost of your financial damages
The speed at which the other party communicates
State law
A judge and jury’s ultimate ruling
The availability of certain forms of evidence
The court’s scheduling and docket volume
Still, in the face of various complications, your lawyer should keep you abreast of all developments. That way, you remain informed about your case’s details.

When You Should Seek a Second Opinion
You have the right to part ways with a lawyer if things don’t work out, so you may consider getting a second opinion on your case if:
01
Your Lawyer Doesn’t Return Your Messages
You have the right to know what’s going on with your case and expect periodic updates from your lawyer. If you can’t reliably connect with your attorney, this can leave you feeling uncertain and anxious about your personal injury case’s outcome.
If your lawyer or the firm doesn’t respond to your emails, texts, or phone calls, you have the right to seek a second opinion from another attorney. During your conversation, ask about how the lawyer intends to keep in contact throughout your case. This could give you the information you need to partner with someone else.
If your lawyer or the firm doesn’t respond to your emails, texts, or phone calls, you have the right to seek a second opinion from another attorney. During your conversation, ask about how the lawyer intends to keep in contact throughout your case. This could give you the information you need to partner with someone else.
02
Your Lawyer Doesn’t Share What Constitutes a Fair Settlement
Your lawyer has many jobs. One of those jobs involves calculating your economic and non-economic damages, then pursuing that sum from the responsible party. If your lawyer doesn’t understand the cost of your damages or withholds that figure from you, this could be a red flag. After all, if your lawyer doesn’t know what constitutes a fair settlement, how can they fight for that amount?
No lawyer will estimate your damages’ value at first glance. However, they can explain what factors could increase or reduce how much you can seek.
No lawyer will estimate your damages’ value at first glance. However, they can explain what factors could increase or reduce how much you can seek.
03
Your Lawyer Tells You to Stop Seeking Medical Attention
Your lawyer is not a medical professional. They should defer all decisions about your health to your healthcare team. If your lawyer tells you to stop seeking medical attention, this not only puts your health at risk but your case’s outcome, too.
Regarding medical care, you should:
Regarding medical care, you should:
Follow your doctor’s orders
Seek a doctor’s opinion if you have not already done so
A lawyer who attempts to give you medical advice isn’t acting in your best interest. If you find yourself in this situation, you could benefit from seeking a second opinion from another personal injury lawyer.
04
You’ve Grown to Distrust Your Lawyer
Your current lawyer may have won your trust earlier. Yet, over time, your relationship may have changed. You may have reason to believe that your lawyer isn’t pursuing the best possible outcome.
Maybe:
Maybe:
You feel as though your lawyer is charging you for small, insignificant things.
Your lawyer gives you conflicting information.
The law firm itself isn’t easily reachable
You’ve learned unscrupulous things about your current representative.
You might also get bad vibes from your legal team. If you have a gut feeling that things tell you so, it’s best to trust that instinct and possibly seek a second opinion.
05
Your Lawyer or Their Team Treats You With Disrespect
Your lawyer should play hardball with the negligent party—not you. You have every right to be treated with respect and dignity throughout your case’s progression. Under no circumstances should you tolerate manipulative tactics, bullying, or pressure. Your lawyer should treat you as they would a trusted family member or colleague.
The Benefits of Changing Lawyers
If you’re unsure about working with your current attorney, some benefits of switching include:
01
Peace of Mind
You may have a lot of anxiety about proceeding with your current legal team. By working with a team that better suits your needs, you can rest easy knowing they’re on your side.
02
Better Accessibility
When you partner with a new lawyer, they likely know why you parted ways with your old one. If they know communication was an issue, they may go the extra mile to respond promptly to your inquiries. Some lawyers even give clients their own cellphone numbers, making help just a phone call away.
03
Flexible Payment Plans
You may want to work with another lawyer because of concerns about your payment plan. You may not feel comfortable paying retainers or hourly rates. So, you might instead seek a second opinion from a lawyer who works on a contingency-fee basis. Many personal injury firms operate on this arrangement.
Here, you don’t pay anything until your case reaches a fair outcome. Compensation for your lawyer’s help comes from the compensation they secure for you, whether that’s through a settlement or court award.
Here, you don’t pay anything until your case reaches a fair outcome. Compensation for your lawyer’s help comes from the compensation they secure for you, whether that’s through a settlement or court award.
04
Specific Experience
Some lawyers take any case that comes across their desk. However, the state’s best criminal defense lawyer may not have the same skillset that a personal injury lawyer would have.
If you’re unsure about your lawyer’s experience and qualifications, you could find a personal injury lawyer who specifically manages personal injury claims. Their familiarity with civil law, local courts, and other professionals could bolster your case.
If you’re unsure about your lawyer’s experience and qualifications, you could find a personal injury lawyer who specifically manages personal injury claims. Their familiarity with civil law, local courts, and other professionals could bolster your case.
The Disadvantages of Changing Lawyers
While there are many benefits to switching lawyers, it’s good to know about the disadvantages, too, such as:
01
It May Extend Your Case’s Timeline
Your new lawyer may have to build your case from the ground up. This process can take time, especially if your lawyer already took months to get things started. Still, even though recovering compensation can take time, it’s important to remain patient.
Accepting a fast and easy settlement offer could leave you with out-of-pocket expenses. Your lawyer can do everything reasonably possible to keep your case on track and moving forward.
Accepting a fast and easy settlement offer could leave you with out-of-pocket expenses. Your lawyer can do everything reasonably possible to keep your case on track and moving forward.
02
Your Previous Lawyer May Bill You for Their Time
Even though things didn’t work out with your previous lawyer, they still expect to receive payment for their time and efforts. How much you owe could depend on many things, including the length of your partnership.
Your previous lawyer should reveal how much you owe and give an itemized list. They shouldn’t just throw out a random number from spite or resentment.
Your previous lawyer should reveal how much you owe and give an itemized list. They shouldn’t just throw out a random number from spite or resentment.
03
Having to Establish a New Relationship
Working with a lawyer is more than a partnership; it’s a relationship that you foster over time. You may have anxieties about meeting a lawyer and their team, especially if your case has some sensitive details. However, this shouldn’t dissuade you from shopping around when it comes to finding a new representative.
Client Reviews

Get a Free Consultation

100% secure & Confidential