One of the most frustrating things for someone who was injured in a car accident is when a personal injury attorney refuses to take their case. If you’ve had the unfortunate experience of having your case turned down by a personal injury attorney, you may be wondering why.
Here are some of the reasons a personal injury attorney may refuse your case:
1. Difficulty establishing liability
For a personal injury lawsuit to be successful, you must prove liability. When an attorney evaluates your case, one of the first things they will look at is whether they can prove the actions of another person caused your injuries. If it is not possible to establish liability, they will reject your case.
2. Conflict of interest
Since there are strict ethical guidelines by which legal professionals must conform, a personal injury attorney will refuse to take your case if there is a conflict of interest. A conflict of interest occurs when there is a substantial risk that the attorney’s interests or duties to another person may affect their loyalty or ability to represent a client effectively. For example, an attorney may refuse your case if they have a connection, whether personal or professional, to the defendant in your case.
3. The expense of the case
Most personal injury attorneys take cases on a contingency basis. With contingency agreements, an attorney only gets paid if and when they obtain money on your behalf. A personal injury attorney will only take on cases they are confident they can win a settlement that is large enough to compensate them for the time and resources they have invested.
4. Other attorneys rejected your case
If personal injury attorneys have already rejected your case, others you consult may see this a red flag and may refuse to work with you. You may also find it hard to retain legal counsel if you have already fired several attorneys, as this may indicate that you are a difficult client.
5. Statute of limitations has expired
The law outlines the maximum time in which you must file a personal injury lawsuit following an accident. If the statute of limitations has expired in your case, there is nothing a personal injury attorney can do. They will have no choice but to reject your case.
Do you need another opinion on your personal injury case?
If you have been rejected by a personal injury attorney and want another opinion on your case, contact us at Seber Bulger Law. Our personal injury attorneys will assess the matter and tell you whether it is worth pursuing.