Can I Switch Fort Wayne Car Accident Lawyers?

May 31, 2025

A Fort Wayne car accident can turn your world upside down, but you may have grounds for a personal injury case if you have been hurt in Fort Wayne traffic through no fault of your own, and retaining a skilled legal practitioner could improve your chances of success. Yet sometimes an otherwise capable attorney might simply not be right for you, though that doesn’t mean you can’t get the help you need elsewhere. Let Hensley Legal Group explain the remedies that may be available if you are wondering “Can I switch Fort Wayne car accident lawyers?”

The Importance of Finding an Attorney You Can Trust

It can be tough to exaggerate the importance of finding an attorney you can trust, as the road to justice is frequently beset by major obstacles that must be overcome.

For instance, your lawyer will probably have to comprehensively investigate your car accident and identify the defendants who contributed to it before establishing valid claims and possibly filing suit against each of them. Your attorney will also have to build a rock-solid case that could convince the defendants’ insurance carriers to compensate you for the entirety of your losses.

When confronted with irrefutable proof of both the extent of your damages and the depth of the insured’s wrongdoing, a wise insurer may propose a generous settlement rather than risk a worse verdict, which is why car accident cases are usually resolved during negotiations instead of at trial. However, a Fort Wayne car accident lawyer will be indispensable if a trial can’t be avoided, since plaintiffs who go to court without attorneys mostly lose but plaintiffs with attorneys statistically win more often than not.

But though a seasoned lawyer could afford you distinct advantages, you could face considerable disadvantages when your goals diverge. Indeed, if an attorney doesn’t do everything necessary to maximize the value of your case, whether out of fear of your opponents or doubt about your claim, he or she could leave money on the table that belongs in your pocket and thus make it harder for you to get your life back to normal.

How to Change Your Fort Wayne Car Accident Lawyer

While changing your lawyer is not a decision to make lightly, you may be able to bring your dealings with your present Fort Wayne car accident attorney to a close if you believe that another lawyer would be a better fit for you. That being said, the complexity of the process by which you can substitute your attorney can vary based upon the progress of your Fort Wayne car accident case.

If a lawsuit has not been filed, the process may be comparatively straightforward. Generally, either you or your new lawyer should send formal notification in writing to your former attorney stating that the new lawyer will be representing you for that point on. The two attorneys may then want to have a more detailed conversation, during which they could make arrangements to send over any materials related to your case. Additionally, your former lawyer may ask to be reimbursed for out-of-pocket expenses that have already been incurred and work that has already been performed, though this reimbursement may be put off until your case has been concluded in your favor.

On the other hand, the process may be much more complicated if a lawsuit has been filed on your behalf. In that situation, your former attorney may have to “file a motion to withdraw representation of the party upon a showing that [he or she] has sent written notice of intent to withdraw to [you] at least ten days before filing [the] motion,” in keeping with Indiana law.

Other requirements may have to be met as well, though these requirements will differ from case to case depending on the specific circumstances. Similarly, the two lawyers may have to reach an agreement about prior costs and fees, which may be more substantial given how much further the original attorney may have advanced your case.

We hope that this has been a useful look at what hiring a new Fort Wayne accident lawyer might involve, but you should never take such a monumental step until you and your preferred attorney have discussed ALL of the potential consequences.

Serving Our Clients’ Interests for Over a Quarter Century

At Hensley Legal Group, we have been serving our clients’ interests for over a quarter century, providing them with the same level of support our own loved ones would enjoy. No matter if you are unhappy with your current representation or if you haven’t even begun to seek assistance, our dedicated Fort Wayne car accident lawyers are ready to educate you about your legal options.

To schedule a free case review with a knowledgeable Fort Wayne car accident attorney, just call us at (317) 472-3333, chat with us online, or fill out our contact form now.