What You Might Not Know About Firing Your Fairfax Car Accident Lawyer (It Has to Do With $$)
You may have suspected that your Fairfax car accident lawyer wasn’t living up to his end of the bargain. Maybe he didn’t do what he said he would or it could be that he has let your file collect dust. Even worse, you might have discovered that he isn’t even licensed in Virginia. So, what now? Can you fire your lawyer?
There are Some Things to Know Before Firing Your Attorney
You may be able to fire you attorney, but there are some things you need to know. Depending on the circumstances, you could still be on the line for legal fees. Below is some information you need to be made aware of:- You could be responsible for the full legal fee. If you want to fire your attorney because you weren’t happy with the results of your case, you could be liable for the legal fee. For example, if the attorney did what you contracted him to do, but you didn’t like the settlement amount, it might not be cause to fire the lawyer. There was a case that addressed this issue. You should look it up – Page v. Baskerville.
- If you fire your lawyer before your case is over, you might still owe money. Most Fairfax car accident lawyers work on a contingency basis, meaning they don’t get paid until they win your case. However, if you fire your lawyer and don’t have a legitimate reason for doing so, you might have to pay for the value of the legal services rendered.
- There are situations where your lawyer might not be entitled to a legal fee. If your lawyer isn’t licensed in the right jurisdiction or has neglected your case, these could be “for cause” reasons to fire your attorney. When you have a cause to fire your lawyer, it means he or she might not be entitled to a fee.
