Switching Personal Injury Law Firms: Do You Pay More and How We Make It Easy

Hiring a personal injury lawyer after an accident is a significant decision. You place your trust, your financial future, and your pursuit of justice in their hands. But what happens when the attorney you chose isn’t meeting your expectations? What if your calls go unanswered, your questions are dismissed, and you feel like just another case number?

Feeling stuck with the wrong law firm is a frustrating and stressful experience. Many accident victims believe they have no choice but to stay, fearing that switching lawyers will be complicated, awkward, and, most importantly, expensive.

At Walch Law, we want to set the record straight. You have the right to be represented by a law firm that prioritizes your case and treats you with respect. Switching to a new firm does not mean you pay more in attorney fees. This guide will explain how the process works and how our team at Walch Law makes the transition seamless, so you can get the high-quality representation you deserve.

Why Do Clients Consider Switching Law Firms?

Clients decide to seek new legal counsel for many valid reasons. If any of these situations sound familiar, it may be time to consider a change:

• Lack of Communication: Your calls and emails are not returned in a timely manner. You feel uninformed about the status of your case and have no idea what is happening next.
• Feeling Ignored: You feel like a small fish in a big pond. Your attorney seems too busy for you, and you are often passed off to paralegals or assistants who can’t answer your questions.
• No Clear Strategy: Your lawyer cannot clearly explain the strategy for your case or what steps they are taking to move it forward.
• Loss of Confidence: You no longer trust your attorney’s judgment or feel they have the experience necessary to handle your case effectively.
• Pressure to Settle: You feel your lawyer is pushing you to accept a lowball settlement offer just to close the case quickly.

Your relationship with your personal injury attorney should be built on trust, communication, and confidence. If that foundation is broken, you have every right to find a firm that will give your case the attention it needs.

The Biggest Myth: “I’ll Have to Pay Double the Fees”

This is the number one fear that keeps clients from switching firms, and it is completely false. In California, personal injury cases are handled on a contingency fee basis.

How Contingency Fees Work

A contingency fee means that your lawyer only gets paid if they win your case, either through a settlement or a court verdict. The fee is a pre-agreed-upon percentage of the total recovery. If you do not win, you owe no attorney fees.

How Fees Are Handled When You Switch

When you switch law firms, you do not pay two separate contingency fees. The total percentage you agreed to pay remains the same. The old firm and your new firm will work out an agreement to divide that single fee between themselves.

Here’s how it works:

1. When you hire Walch Law, we will notify your previous attorney that we are taking over representation.
2. Your former firm will place an “attorney’s lien” on your case. This is a legal claim for the value of the work they performed up to the point you switched.
3. When your case is successfully resolved, the single contingency fee is set aside.
4. Walch Law then negotiates with the old firm to pay their lien out of our portion of the fee.

The bottom line is simple: The fee-sharing arrangement happens between the law firms and does not come out of your share of the settlement. Your total cost for legal representation does not increase by a single penny. You get the benefit of a new, dedicated legal team without any additional financial burden.

How Walch Law Makes Switching Easy and Stress-Free

We understand that the decision to switch lawyers can feel daunting. Our team is committed to making the process as smooth and seamless as possible, so you can feel confident in your choice from day one.

The Walch Law Transition Process

1. Free, Confidential Consultation: It all starts with a conversation. We will listen to your frustrations, review the facts of your case, and give you an honest assessment of your situation and how we can help. There is no pressure and no obligation.
2. We Handle the “Breakup”: You do not have to have an awkward conversation with your old lawyer. Once you decide to hire us, we take care of everything. We will draft and send a formal letter to your previous firm, informing them that we are now your attorneys of record.
3. Securing Your File: We will immediately request your entire case file from the old firm. This includes all medical records, police reports, correspondence with insurance companies, and any work product they have created. We handle all the logistics.
4. A Fresh Start and a Clear Plan: As soon as we have your file, our team will conduct a thorough review. We will identify what has been done, what needs to be done, and where the previous firm may have dropped the ball. We will then schedule a meeting with you to outline our strategy for moving your case forward effectively.
5. Proactive Communication: From the moment you hire us, you will notice the difference. We believe in keeping our clients informed. You will have direct access to your attorney and will receive regular updates on the progress of your case.

Our goal is to lift the burden off your shoulders. We handle the administrative details of the switch so that you can focus on what matters most: your health and recovery.

Don’t Settle for Subpar Representation

After an injury, you need a legal advocate who is fully committed to fighting for you. You deserve a lawyer who returns your calls, answers your questions, and has a clear plan to secure the maximum compensation you are entitled to.

If you are unhappy with your current personal injury firm, you are not trapped. You have the power to make a change, and it will not cost you more money. The only risk is staying with a firm that is not giving your case the attention it deserves.

Contact Walch Law today for a free, confidential consultation. Let us show you what it feels like to be a priority. We will answer all your questions about the switching process and help you take the first step toward getting the dedicated, aggressive, and compassionate representation you need to win your case.