4 reasons why a personal injury lawyer will not take your case
Personal injury cases are on the rise in America. Each year, approximately 40 million individuals suffer injuries that require medical attention—that’s over 126 cases per 1000 people. The causes of these injuries are usually car accidents, workplace injuries, dog bites, medical malpractice, and more. While many victims turn to personal injury lawyers for help securing compensation, legal representation is not guaranteed. Even with strong evidence, multiple factors can lead lawyers to reject potential clients.
With the number of annual personal injury cases increasing, it is becoming more difficult for victims to find legal representation. Below are four of the most common reasons a personal injury attorney may not take your case.
High volume of cases
With the high number of personal injury incidents occurring each year, there is no shortage of potential cases for lawyers to evaluate. In fact, the personal injury legal market was valued at over $57 billion in 2024. With so many claims to consider, firms can be selective in accepting clients. Unless a case shows a high probability of a worthwhile payout, a lawyer may opt to pass it over to focus on more promising suits. Even if your claim has merit, a saturated market makes it harder to stand out.
Weak evidence
Even with the best intentions, lawyers cannot construct a compelling case without sufficient evidence. Documentation that irrefutably links the defendant to your injuries is vital.
Police reports, medical records, product manuals, eyewitness accounts, and other forms of proof are essential. If vital evidence is lacking, weak, or circumstantial, a lawyer will hesitate to invest time in your case when others present concrete validation.
Of the thousands of injury incidents annually, those with ambiguous or questionable evidence often struggle to secure legal representation. So, before you hire a personal injury attorney from Zavodnick & Lasky Personal Injury Lawyers, make sure you have documented as much as possible.
Low value of claim
Personal injury suits require substantial time and resources for lawyers. Research, filings, depositions, negotiations, and trial proceedings quickly add up. Unless a case has the potential for a sizable payout, the lawyer risks spending more money litigating than they can realistically recover in damages.
With values commonly reaching six figures for serious incidents like medical malpractice and vehicle fatalities, minor claims are unattractive to attorneys. If your losses and suffering equate to only modest compensation, securing a lawyer’s services will be an uphill battle.
Uncooperative client
A lawyer’s job becomes exponentially more difficult with an obstructive client. Refusing to provide important documentation, dodging meetings, displaying dishonesty, and not following legal advice can swiftly end an attorney’s willingness to represent you. With countless prospective cases awaiting their time, most personal injury lawyers have zero tolerance for uncooperative clients. Even if you have a strong claim, a lack of collaboration jeopardizes your chances of securing legal counsel.
While these factors make earning representation challenging, they are not insurmountable obstacles. Consulting with multiple firms, organizing irrefutable evidence, demonstrating your reliability, and reasonably evaluating your claim’s worth increases the likelihood of attracting a lawyer’s interest. With over 450,000 personal injury practices nationwide, the right attorney for your case is out there. Identifying what makes your situation a poor match for one lawyer helps bring you closer to one who will gladly take on your claim.