Reasons A Personal Injury Attorney Might Not Take Your Case
One of the first things you need to do after being in an accident that results in injuries and other damages is to contact an attorney. Finding the right attorney can offer you hope for the future, considering the adverse effects accidents can have on people’s lives. However, attorneys do not just accept any case. Sometimes, attorneys refuse to take on cases. Though rare, instances of attorneys rejecting cases are not uncommon. In fact, an attorney can refuse to represent you even if you have a good case.
A personal injury attorney can reject your case for various reasons. Below are some of the top reasons a personal injury attorney might reject your case.
Your Percentage of Fault Is Too Much
Florida’s comparative negligence law allows individuals to recover compensation from at-fault parties even if they are partly to blame for their accident. However, if you share too much fault for your accident, an attorney or a law firm that takes on cases on a contingent fee basis might refuse to take on your case. This is because the less money a car accident victim recovers, the less such an attorney or a law firm is ultimately paid for their work.
The Attorney Lacks the Expertise To Handle Your Case
When searching for a personal injury attorney, keep in mind that not all attorneys handle all types of personal injury cases. Personal injury attorneys may have certain areas of expertise. For example, some attorneys handle car accident cases but not medical malpractice cases or vice versa. If the personal injury attorney you approach does not handle your type of case, they may turn you down. Hopefully, though, such an attorney will respond by telling you where you can get an attorney that can handle your case.
The Statute of Limitations Has Expired
The statute of limitations is a law that dictates how long you have to bring your claim forward. In Florida, for example, you have up to four years to file an action founded on negligence. If you approach a personal injury attorney after the statute of limitations has expired on your case, they may turn you down. This is because, after the statute of limitations expires in your case, you don’t have the right to seek compensation unless under limited circumstances.
The Attorney Has a Conflict of Interest
A conflict of interest can be something like a situation whereby the attorney you want to represent you is already acting as a legal representative of the other side or as a legal representative of the party you want to sue in another case. Another example is if you are looking to file a lawsuit against the attorney’s relative. Such things can divide an attorney’s loyalty. When a conflict of interest is involved, an attorney usually has no choice but to reject a client’s case.
Contact a Miami Personal Injury Attorney Today
Fortunately, even if a personal injury attorney rejects your case, you may still be able to find one who can work with you. If you are looking to find a personal injury attorney, reach out to our Miami personal injury attorneys at The Pendas Law Firm. We can assess your case, advise you accordingly and help you to the best of our ability. Contact The Pendas Law Firm today to schedule a free consultation.
The Pendas Law Firm also represents clients in the Bradenton, Jacksonville, Ocala, Orlando, Fort Myers, Fort Lauderdale, West Palm Beach, Daytona Beach, and Tampa areas.
