Signed With a Personal Injury Lawyer Too Fast and Now Regretting It? You Still Have Options.

Feeling Stuck After Signing Paperwork in the Hospital or Right After Your Accident? You’re Not Alone, and You’re Not Trapped.

After an accident, everything moves fast.

One minute, you’re dealing with pain, medical tests, accident reports, and doctors. Next, someone is talking to you about insurance, claims, and legal deadlines. Then, paperwork shows up. A pen appears. Someone says, “Let’s get this handled now so you don’t have to worry.”

You sign.

Later, sometimes days or weeks later, the doubts start creeping in.

You might wonder: “Did I rush into this?” or “Why haven’t I heard from my lawyer?” You may also be concerned about why you’re being sent to certain doctors and feeling uncertain about whether you’re stuck with this law firm.

If you’re feeling regret after quickly signing with a personal injury lawyer, take a breath and know that you still have options. And more importantly, you still have control.

Why So Many People Sign Too Quickly

First, know this: you’re not careless or naïve for signing fast. You were injured, and when you’re hurt, stressed, or medicated, your common sense isn’t operating at full speed in the middle of those distractions and stressors. You just want help. You want someone to take the burden off your shoulders. That’s completely human.

Some law firms understand this, and unfortunately, a few take advantage of it.

They may:

• Contact you within hours or days of the accident
• Visit hospitals or rehab centers
• Send someone to your home
• Pressure you to sign immediately
• Promise “fast money” or guaranteed settlements
• Tell you there’s no time to compare lawyers

These law firm representatives are often referred to as “runners.” They may show up at the scene of an accident, your own home, the hospital, or anywhere else in the first 30 days after your accident. 

In the moment, signing with these “runners” can feel like relief, but later, when communication slows or when your case doesn’t feel personal or prioritized, relief can turn into second-guessing.

Common Signs You Might Have Chosen the Wrong Firm

Not every fast signup leads to problems, but if you’re experiencing any of the following, it may be time to reevaluate:

You can’t reach your attorney

Calls go to voicemail. Emails go unanswered. You talk to assistants but never to your lawyer.

You feel rushed or ignored

Questions feel brushed off. Updates are vague. You don’t feel informed about what’s happening.

You were steered toward certain doctors or clinics

Instead of choosing your own medical providers, you feel pushed toward “their” referrals without clear explanations.

Your case feels transactional

You’re treated like a file number, not a person recovering from a life-changing injury.

You didn’t fully understand what you signed

You don’t remember reviewing fees, terms, or what happens if you want to leave.

If any of that sounds familiar, trust your instincts.

Legal representation should feel supportive, not stressful.

The Biggest Myth: “I Signed, So I’m Stuck”

This is the fear that keeps many people in situations they’re unhappy with. They think: “I already signed the contract. There’s nothing I can do.”

But in most cases, that simply isn’t true. Personal injury clients typically have the right to change lawyers.

Let’s say that again: You usually can switch law firms.

Contingency-fee agreements (the standard in injury cases) don’t mean ownership of you or your case. They outline how fees are handled, not that you’re locked in forever. You are still the client. You still make the decisions. It’s still your case.

How Switching Law Firms Actually Works

Many people imagine that switching lawyers will be messy, expensive, or confrontational. In reality, it’s often straightforward.

Here’s generally what happens:

Step 1: Talk to another firm

You get a second opinion. Share your concerns. Ask questions.

Step 2: The new firm reviews your agreement

They explain your rights and how fees would be handled if you switch.

Step 3: Paperwork is handled for you

If you decide to move forward, the new firm typically manages the transition, including notifying your former attorney and transferring files.

Step 4: Your case continues

There’s no “starting over.” Your case picks up where it left off.

Most reputable firms make the process as seamless as possible so you can focus on healing, not logistics.

Will It Cost You More Money to Switch Law Firms?

This is another common worry. The short answer is usually no.

In many cases, attorneys work out fees between themselves behind the scenes. The client’s contingency percentage often stays the same.

That means you don’t pay twice, you don’t write a check, and you don’t lose your settlement.

Instead, the lawyers handle fee allocation based on the work each performed.

The priority should be what’s best for your case, not protecting a contract you signed while injured.

Why Your Choice of Lawyer Matters So Much

A personal injury claim isn’t just paperwork. It affects your medical treatment, lost wages due to missed work, future care needs, your family’s financial stability, and your ability to recover emotionally and physically. 

The right lawyer fights for full value. The wrong one may push for a quick settlement just to close the file.

And once a case settles, you typically can’t go back and ask for more. That’s why feeling confident in your representation is absolutely critical.

What Ethical Representation Should Feel Like

You deserve a law firm that:

• Explains things clearly
• Returns your calls
• Answers questions patiently
• Respects your medical choices
• Treats you like a person, not a number
• Gives you reasonable time, not pressure

At Morgan & Morgan, the philosophy has always been simple: For the People.

That means no chasing patients in hospital beds. No rushing signatures. No pressure tactics.

Just honest conversations, clear guidance, and the resources to take on powerful insurance companies when it matters most.

Choosing a lawyer should feel empowering, not something you regret.

Questions to Ask Before Making a Change

If you’re considering switching firms, here are smart questions to ask during a consultation:

• What concerns do you see with how my case has been handled so far?
• Would switching delay my case?
• How are fees handled if I change lawyers?
• Who will actually be working on my case?
• How often will I receive updates?

A good firm won’t dodge these questions. They’ll welcome them, because they will understand that transparency builds trust.

You’re Allowed to Put Yourself First

After an injury, it’s easy to feel like things are out of your hands. Doctors make decisions. Insurance companies call the shots. Lawyers talk in legal terms.

But remember this: You still get to choose who represents you. Not the first person who showed up. Not the fastest signature. Not a contract you didn’t fully understand.

If something feels off, you don’t have to stay quiet, you don’t have to settle for “good enough,” and you definitely don’t have to stay with a lawyer you don’t trust.

A Conversation Can Change Everything

If you’re unsure about the firm you signed with, getting a second opinion costs nothing, but it can give you clarity, confidence, and peace of mind.

Sometimes you’ll learn everything is fine. Sometimes you’ll discover you deserve better. Either way, you win.

Because this is your recovery, your case, and your future, and you deserve a team that treats it that way.

To learn more about your options, contact Morgan & Morgan, America’s largest trusted personal injury law firm, for a free case evaluation. Our team can hear your story and advise you on your best next steps—for free. No fees, no obligation, just information on the choices you can make.