When you have been injured by another person’s carelessness or negligence, you might decide to take your case to a personal injury lawyer. After reviewing the details of your case, the attorney could tell you that you do not have a valid case. That lawyer might suggest that, based on the facts, you will not be able to win the case, or imply that even if you won the case, what you will gain from the win will not make the cost of legal representation worth it to you. Be wary of this, particularly if this is the first lawyer you have seen about this case. Here are some ways you can decide for yourself whether you do have a case and should continue pursuing it.
3 Ways to Deal with a Lawyer Refusing to Take Your Case
Unfortunately, many people let accidents and injuries go unaddressed from a legal perspective by paying their medical bills and not pursuing legal action on the matter. With so many inaccurate representations of personal injury law in the media and entertainment world, it can be easy to be dissuaded or discouraged from filing a lawsuit for personal injury damages. If you have the strength to take that first step and the first lawyer you visit says you do not have a case, you should do the following before giving up on the case entirely:
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Get a second opinion. While doctors and lawyers are two very different professions, one thing they do have in common is the value of second opinions. If your lawyer refuses to take on your case, there could be many reasons for this that you do not know about—maybe the lawyer lacks confidence in trying that type of case; the lawyer might not know how to approach your case without prior similar experience; or perhaps the lawyer does not see a likelihood of making much money from your case. Whatever the attorney’s reasoning behind refusing your case, it is very possible that the lawyer will not tell you the real reason. Instead, he or she may be critical of your case and say it is not “winnable” or worth it for you. That is when going to another lawyer for a second opinion is key. A different set of eyes and expertise on your case could breathe new life into it and prove that your previous attorney’s judgment was incorrect.
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Do some research. Study public records of prior cases similar to yours that might serve as strong examples of successful verdicts or settlements. This can show you it is possible to win such a case, and it might even show you how to do so. You can present this research to an attorney if you believe that it will help your case in any way.
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Review and re-evaluate the specifics of your case. Reconsider all the details of your personal injury claim. Be objective as you assess whether or not you have a valid case. Most importantly, be honest with yourself: Is this lawsuit worth the time, money, and effort? Are you willing to undergo a potentially long, cumbersome legal proceeding? Make a “pros and cons list,” if necessary, to weigh your options.
Contact an McHenry County Personal Injury Lawyer
Do not give up on filing a personal injury lawsuit too soon. You might just need the right Crystal Lake personal injury attorney to give it a second look. The tenacious team at Botto Gilbert Lancaster, PC has the experience and skills necessary to not only take on your challenging case but also get you the judgment or settlement you deserve. Call 815-338-3838 for a free consultation today.
Sources:
Critical Questions You Should Ask a Personal Injury Lawyer to Understand Your Case
5 Tips to Help You Hire the Best Personal Injury Lawyer for Your Case
https://www.natlawreview.com/article/i-m-injured-why-won-t-any-lawyers-take-my-case