Can I Get a New Lawyer When My Attorney Drops My Georgia Accident Case?

Hiring and working with an accident attorney is often a stressful event. The situation can become even more stressful if your attorney drops your Georgia Accident case. There could be several reasons why that might happen but what should you do next? Can you get a new Georgia accident attorney to represent you?

If your lawyer files a motion to withdraw as counsel from your Georgia accident case, you are entitled to seek new legal representation. It’s recommended that clients start talking to a new attorney as soon as possible. This gives the new lawyer more time to prepare the case, so there are minimal delays.

You don’t have to put up with an accident lawyer walking away from your case. Instead, you can turn to a new firm to handle your Georgia accident case. Read on to learn more about why a lawyer may have walked away and what you should do next.

Can You Get a New Lawyer if an Attorney Drops Your Case? 

Though it is rare for an attorney to leave their clients after taking on a case, it can happen. As we’ll discuss, there are several reasons why an attorney may want to quit the case. The good news is that you can turn to another Georgia personal injury lawyer to represent you.

If you are in this situation, it’s best to organize a consultation with a prospective lawyer. Then, explain the situation that you have found yourself in. This ensures that the new attorney understands the predicament. They might also provide some advice on how to deal with your old lawyer.  

The good news is that your new attorney won’t be starting from scratch. Your previous lawyer will have to pass over any paperwork or case notes they generated when preparing your legal case.

Can My Attorney Quit?

Yes. Sometimes, an attorney might be forced to quit. These circumstances include: when a client is conducting criminal activities, if there is a conflict of interest, or if they are no longer able to provide adequate representation. Alternatively, a client might be uncooperative or refuse to make payments.

There are a few reasons why an attorney drops a case. First, as the client, you have the right to decide who gets to represent you. If you no longer think that your lawyer is providing adequate assistance, you can fire them. There are a few circumstances where this is the best approach. These include:

• Hard to get a response from your attorney
• They are overcharging for their services
• You have found better representation
• You don’t agree with the advice your lawyer is providing.

However, there are a few circumstances where an attorney would be legally obligated to withdraw from the case. These include:

• Criminal activity. Sometimes, a client might be continuing an illegal enterprise. If they are using the lawyer to help them get away with this activity, the attorney might be forced to walk away.
• Conflict of interest. An attorney should be focused solely on acting in the best interests of their client. If they discover a conflict of interest, they might be forced to walk away from the case. For example, a Georgia auto accident attorney might discover that their firm represents the organization you are suing.
• Lack of competence. Sometimes, a lawyer might no longer be able to offer an appropriate level of service. For example, they might have an injury. At other times, they won’t be properly licensed to practice law in Georgia.

There are a few situations where, while not mandatory, a lawyer might still opt to drop your case. These include:

• Lack of cooperation with the client
• Failure to receive payment
• The client is withholding important information

What To Do If Your Attorney Files A Motion to Withdraw?

There are three options. You can talk to your lawyer and sort out the situation. Secondly, you can oppose the motion, arguing why the lawyer should stay on your case. Thirdly, clients can take their cases to a new attorney.

If your case is due to begin shortly or is already underway, your attorney will need to file a motion to withdraw. This will need to be approved by a judge before they can walk away. This process is designed to give the client some time to react. If they have filed this motion, there are a few options you can consider. These include:

• Talk to your lawyer. You might want to have a frank discussion with your lawyer about the situation. Some problems, like non-payment of fees, might be able to get resolved. It’s best to do this before they file a motion to withdraw as attorney.
• Opposing the motion to withdraw. If you decide to oppose the motion to withdraw, you will need to attend the hearing. During this session, you will need to tell the judge why you think the attorney should be kept on your case.
• Allowing them to withdraw. This is usually the best option. Most people don’t want to work with a lawyer who doesn’t want to represent them. If the motion to withdraw is granted by the judge, your attorney is often released immediately. You can take your case to a different Georgia lawyer who will work with you to get the best option.

If you are planning on using a new attorney, it’s best to contact them as quickly as possible. This will allow them to start working on your accident case, so you don’t experience a delay. Furthermore, your old Georgia personal injury lawyer will have to hand over any paperwork to your new attorney. Sometimes, a judge might allow a continuance, to give your new attorney some time to prepare.

Do You Owe Your Attorney Anything When They Drop Your Georgia Accident Case?

Yes. It’s expected that the client will pay the expenses the lawyer incurred before they dropped your accident case. 

Even though a Georgia attorney drops the case, they still incurred expenses before they left. You will be expected to pay these costs.

Sometimes, during the motion to withdraw hearing, the judge will dictate what expenses you will be liable to pay. It’s a good idea to talk about the situation with your new attorney, they will tell you if you have been invoiced unfairly.

Final Thoughts

Most accident lawyers feel a strong passion for their clients, so they would never want to walk away after accepting a case. Sadly, not all attorneys feel the same way. Clients left in the lurch after a lawyer leaves them don’t have to worry. We can help you transfer the case to a new attorney. Get in touch with our experienced Georgia personal injury accident lawyers today for a free consultation.

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