There are a bunch of reasons why a lawyer might turn you down, and it’s not always about whether or not you deserve help. Sometimes, it could be something simple, like them being too busy. Other times, it’s because your case doesn’t have enough evidence or is too close to the legal time limit.
A lawyer saying no doesn’t mean you’re out of luck. There are still ways to keep fighting for what’s right. If you’re not sure where to start, you can always check out the best personal injury law firm in your area for some guidance. Even if one lawyer turns you down, there’s always another one out there who might be able to help you.
4 Reasons Why a PI Lawyer May Turn You Down
Here are 4 reasons why a personal injury lawyer may not take your case.
Statute of Limitations Has Expired
One of the biggest reasons they might turn you down is something called the statute of limitations. This is a deadline for how long you can wait before you file a lawsuit.
This deadline is different in various states. For example, in Florida, if you’re in an accident, you now only have two years to file your personal injury claim because of a new law passed in 2023. Before that, you had four years.
So, if you wait too long, the lawyer can’t take your case, because the court won’t let you file a lawsuit after the deadline is up.
Even if you’re still within the time limit, the lawyer might not take your case if there’s not enough time to do all the work, like gathering evidence or investigating the details. If something happens to you, don’t wait too long to contact a lawyer.
Your Damages Are Minimal
Another reason they might turn you down is if the damages are too small. Lawyers usually take cases where the injury or damage is big enough to be worth their time and effort. So, if your injuries are minor, like a small scrape or a little damage to your property, a lawyer might not think it’s worth going after.
It’s not that your case isn’t important, but lawyers have to decide if it’ll be worth the time and resources to fight for something that might not lead to much in the end. If the damages aren’t big, a lawyer might not want to take it on.
Lack of Evidence to Prove Negligence
If you get hurt and think it’s because someone else messed up, a lawyer might not take your case if there’s not enough evidence to show it. Lawyers need things like pictures, witness statements, or medical records to prove the other person is at fault.
Without proof, it’s hard to convince a lawyer your case is strong enough to win. If they don’t have evidence to back it up, they won’t take the risk. In some cases, your lawyer may suggest that you aim for a settlement rather than going to court, especially if direct evidence is scarce.
The Defendant Lacks money
Sometimes a lawyer might not take your case if the person who caused your injury doesn’t have enough money to pay for it. Even if you win, if the person doesn’t have money or insurance, there’s nothing to collect.
Lawyers want to make sure they can actually get you the money you deserve, but if the other person is broke, it’s hard to do that.
It’s not that the lawyer doesn’t believe you or think your case isn’t important. It’s just that without money to get from the other person, there’s really no way to get you paid for your damages. In such situations, your best chance at getting compensation would be to fall back on your own insurance if you have any.
